"Finish the Race" - Ahava Love Letter (Steve Martin)

 

                                  Finish the Race

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. All that awaits me now is the crown of righteousness which the Lord, “the Righteous Judge,” will award to me on that Day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for Him to appear.” 2 Tim 4:7-8 (Complete Jewish Bible)

Dear family of friends,

Do you ever get that sense, “Yes, that is done, what is next” feeling? Not necessarily the one when you have actually just finished a project, and there is a clear ending point, but the one where you just know in your knower that this season in life, completed over a long term, has been accomplished? Yes, that sense. Let me share further on that.

I truly believe there are seasons of the soul, similar to seasons in nature. Just as the Scripture says, “...the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.” (1 Cor. 15:46 NKJV), the Creator has given us another visual of how life develops in our soul. His very creation, using the four seasons of spring, summer, fall and winter in many locations on the earth, give us understanding in life matters. There is a time of birth (spring), many years of anticipating, experiencing and doing with full activity (summer), and then the wind down (fall) before the completion in death (winter).

And for those who have raced, either on foot or in a swimming pool, or have been a fan of NASCAR or open wheel car racing (FORMULA 1 style), you too have participated in or seen the starting point, the long stretch of ups and downs during the race, the high point right before the completion, and then the finish line. Another concept of how our lives are.

In the spiritual realm, similarly understood through these natural occurring events, the Lord gives us seasons and races. In His revealing of Himself to us, through our five senses of our sight, sound, smell, taste and touch, His Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh in Hebrew) is showing us His life and purpose – to give us further understanding of His purposes and ways. While the spiritual also includes dreams and vision, and other aspects in revelation, this is how we learn.

One example of season and race concepts has been apparent in my good wife Laurie and my lives. It has been in the area of leading worship. Both Laurie and I have been gifted in music, with voice and instrument (more voice than instrument!) We have shared this gift with the Lord and His people, by participating in many settings of song and instrument over a period of 40 years each, from our teenage years through our 50’s.

There were the early years of lessons in vocal, piano and guitar. These were followed by the musicals, the school choirs, the seven church groups, and then the three bands. The point has now come to where the Lord has said, “That season is done. I have some other plans and purposes for you now.” Sure, we may lead a small group now and then in our gatherings, but we know that another race, another season, is on the new horizon. We lay down that which has finished, while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our ongoing faith (Heb. 12:2). We are called to continually pursue His next passion, coming forth out of His heart,  being instilled in us together.

I love seasons. I love races. I love how the Lord uses these in our lives to provide encouragement for our spiritual seasons and races. Understanding that each of these however come and go helps us to let go as needed, so we can begin the next one. Often, they happen whether we like it or not. But in giving Him our ongoing trust and appreciation, our understanding can be better served as the next season or race comes our way.

Be content where you are at now in life. That was one of Paul’s heavenly insights. If it feels like you are in an all out race, then give it all you got. If the season you are in seems as if you’d really prefer the next one right about now, just wait a bit. It will happen. For another one is on the way!

Ahava to my family of friends,

Steve Martin

Founder

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Ahava Love Letter #104   “Finish the Race”   Steve Martin 

Date: In the year of our Lord 2014 (02.01.14) Saturday at 5:24 am in Charlotte, NC).

All previous editions of Ahava Love Letter can be found on this Blog, and our newest website: Ahava Love Letters