Be A World-Changer: Finishing Well

Julie Moss was a 23-year-old amateur athlete who had never participated in a triathlon before. She entered the 1982 Ironman contest held in Kona, Hawaii. She led the women after swimming 2 miles, continued in front after the 112 mile bicycle ride, and was first with 440 yards left in the 26.2 miles run.

Then she fell down. She stayed down for a full three minutes before she struggled to her feet and staggered on. Her legs wobbled and her knees buckled as she tumbled to the ground with 100 yards to the finish. The crowd yelled, “Get up, lady!”

Somehow she managed to stand and stumbled forward almost incoherently before collapsing a third time with less than 50 feet remaining. Incredibly, Julie was crawling toward the finish line when another woman runner raced past her to victory. As Julie pulled herself across the finish line, she cried out, “Did I finish?” After being assured that she had indeed finished, Julie Moss fell limp from exhaustion.

Dr. J. Robert Clinton, past Professor of Leadership at Fuller Seminary, conducted an exhaustive study concerning Biblical characters and finishing well. His findings are startling:*

Examples of Those Who Finished Poorly*
Of 1,000 leaders in the Bible less than 30% finished well.

• Saul – Demonstrated no heart for God
• Solomon – Was half-hearted toward God
• Gideon – Had many wives & worshipped an idol
• Judas – Betrayed God
• Demas – Loved the world more than Christ
• Alexander – Damaged Paul’s reputation & gave up his faith

Some Barriers To Finishing Poorly

• Finances – Its use and abuse
• Power – Its use and abuse
• Pride – Failure to demonstrate humility
• Sexually – Its use and abuse
• Family – Failure as husband and/or father
• Plateauing – Failure to keep growing spiritually

Characteristics of Those That Finished Poorly

• Personal vibrant relationship with God until the end.
• Learning posture from various sources—life especially.
• Christ-like character and fruit of the Spirit in life.
• Truth is lived out based on God’s promises.
• Leave behind one or more ultimate contributions.
• Sense of destiny and see some or all of it fulfilled.

The Twelve Apostle All Finished Well

All the Apostles were martyred for their faith, except for John who died a natural death.

Someday you also will cross the finish line. Undoubtedly you, like me, will want to echo the words of the Apostle Paul, “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). As you seek to serve others faithfully, may you one day hear Jesus say to you, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 24:21).

The information above is based on the Dr. J. Robert Clinton Biblical Leadership Commentary CD ©1999 available from Clinton Resources at http://www.bobbyclinton.com

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