It’s Time to Get Back in the Race

by Rick Warren — January 6, 2025
From The Key to Hope

“I have done my best in the race, I have run the full distance, and I have kept the faith. And now there is waiting for me the victory prize of being put right with God.”

2 Timothy 4:7-8 (GNT)

The movie Rudy tells the story of Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, whose only dream was to play football at Notre Dame—even though he didn’t have the grades to get into the college or the football skills to make the team. And yet, through persistence, hard work, and endurance, he managed to join the team as a walk-on and suit up for the last game of the 1975 season.

In the mostly fictionalized ending of the movie, for the last play of the game, the players on the sideline start chanting his name until the whole stadium takes it up: “Rudy, Rudy, Rudy!” And Rudy is carried off the field by his teammates to wild cheering and clapping and chants of his name. 

It’s an incredible scene. But it’s nothing compared to the reception you are going to receive one day when you complete your race and cross the finish line into eternity to the applause of heaven. Just imagine Jesus greeting you, and all the saints cheering your name.

You ought to be living for the applause of heaven, because that’s what’s going to matter for eternity. One day you will have the thrill of standing before God, your Creator, and having him say something like, “You did it! You finished the race. You didn’t get sidetracked or drop out. Well done. Let’s celebrate for eternity.”

The apostle Paul anticipated that reward. In 2 Timothy 4:7-8 he says, “I have done my best in the race, I have run the full distance, and I have kept the faith. And now there is waiting for me the victory prize of being put right with God, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that Day—and not only to me, but to all those who wait with love for him to appear” (GNT). 

Maybe you accepted Christ and started your race strong, but you have drifted into apathy. You’ve gotten sidetracked or wounded or discouraged.

Don’t wait another day to get back in the race. Start by saying this prayer to God:

“Dear God, I don’t want to sit on the sidelines for the rest of my life. I want to finish the race that you put me on earth for. Help me to stay focused on eternity and the rewards that lie ahead. I want to live for your eternal purposes and make the rest of my life the best of my life. Please help me to finish well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Talk It Over

  • In what ways have you been living for the applause of other people instead of being focused on eternity?
  • What will need to change in your life for you to be able to finish your race well?
  • Maybe you’re still on the sidelines thinking about joining the race. What is the next step God is telling you to take? Who in your life can help you and talk to you about it?

If you haven’t trusted in Jesus, why wait any longer?

God’s great generosity is reflected in his gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Your sins separate you from God. And it is only God’s grace, through Jesus, that can get you back into right relationship with him.

The Bible says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).

If you’re ready to make peace with your Creator, then pray this prayer:

“Dear Jesus, I don’t want my sin to separate me from you any longer. You have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.

“I confess my sin, and I believe you are my Savior. You have promised that if I confess my sin and trust you, I will be saved. I trust you when you say salvation comes by grace, through faith, and not by anything I do. I receive you into my life as my Lord. Today, I’m turning over every part of my life to you. “I want to live the way you created me to live and use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I commit my life to you and ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at [email protected] and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.

 

Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.