Kaelin Clay played American football at both the college and professional level. He finished his college career at the University of Utah and gained notoriety in a game with the University of Oregon. It was a defining moment for Kaelin…but one he probably wishes hadn’t happened. In that important game, Clay got in the open, caught a beautifully thrown pass, and was in the clear to the goal line to score a touchdown. The crowd went wild. The Utah team and fans celebrated the score…but on the field, something was happening. What the TV cameras didn’t catch the first time was Clay beginning his touchdown celebration too early, letting go of the football before crossing over the goal line. And what the opposing Oregon team realized is that if they picked up the ball, they could run the other way and possibly score. And that is exactly what happened. What could have put Utah up 14-0 turned into a 7-7 tie at that point…and Utah would eventually lose that game.

You may not be into American football, but like many things in life, there is something to be learned. A life lesson.

You are way ahead of me, aren’t you?

Finish well. Don’t quit too soon. Don’t celebrate before you should, and don’t give the opponent…the enemy…an opportunity to score against you. Don’t fumble your opportunity.

Finish well.

My friend Robert Wolgemuth has recently written a book called The Gun Lap: Staying in the Race with Purpose. In track and field races, the final lap of a race around a track is marked by the firing of a gun as the lead runner starts the final lap to the finish line. It lets the runners know this is the last time around the track. And often you see the good runners kick it into another running gear. It is all about finishing well.

The Apostle Paul no doubt had that in mind when he told young Timothy:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;”

2 Timothy 4:7 NASB

To be honest, there are times when I got close to a goal, but didn’t finish well, didn’t finish the course. Not a good thought. Yet, I have some good news for you and for me: the game isn’t over. We might stumble…and fumble…and feel defeated. But it doesn’t have to end that way.

In a previous letter to Timothy, Paul gives him strong instructions about the battle that is the Christian life:

But you, Timothy, man of God…. Pursue a righteous life—a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses.

1 Timothy 6:11-12 MSG

A 15th century Italian priest, Lorenzo Scupoli, gave a short list of things needed for the spiritual battles that come to all of us, the things that would keep us from completing the task, from finishing well. In his book, The Spiritual Combat, Scupoli says:

Begin by equipping yourself with four weapons that are necessary for victory in spiritual combat:

  • Distrust yourself
  • Have confidence in God
  • Use your body and mind properly
  • Pray

Great reminders for us if we are to finish strong and not fumble before crossing the goal line.