"To the End"

Old cowboy, old crease,

Old saddle, God’s peace, 

And many old memories,

So hard to release.

As he sits by the fire,

Did the Good Lord he please?

He wonders if he ever did…

Those who knew him, all gone,

Crossed to the beyond,

They went before him,

Now sing heaven’s song.

He watches the flames,

And ponders what’s wrong,

And tries to make sense of it all…

Surprised his dead friends,

That his life never ends,

Gets up and goes on,

Though too late for amends,

Sparks fly and log pops,

None more shocked than him,

And he whispers a prayer of thanks…

Some must die young,

Their time quickly done,

And with those rank horses,

He thought he’d be one.

But standing here now,

Still more race to be run,

Leans forward and gathers himself,

And says, Lord, I’m Yours to the end.

Catches his horse,

His best one, of course,

So easy to bridle,

And nothing to force.

Throws a leg over,

God still is his source,

Touches his mount with a spur,

A-horseback he always will be…

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful…” (2 Timothy 4:7, NLT)

This is Paul’s testimony toward the end of his life. No one knows exactly when the race of life will be over, but what we all want is to be faithful to the end. We want to finish strong, and the only way this is possible is to rely wholeheartedly on the grace of God. By receiving and cooperating with God’s daily grace, administered by the Holy Spirit, we stack the odds that faithfulness will characterize our final days. He empowers faithfulness, and helps us live while we are alive and nothing less. The older I get the more I appreciate the truth of God’s promises and provision. To the end, in Jesus’ name.

Lord, help us to faithfully finish our race, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Keith Batcheler, used by permission. Thanks, Keith, and God bless you.