The Finish Line

Recently I posted the following on Facebook “The finish line always moves. You cannot wait for the next job, bigger house, better car, etc. Be happy and enjoy where you are right now at this moment. Be in this moment!”

I was quite surprised that this simple wording would create enough energy for anyone to send me an email, let alone 5 of them!

I was challenged by friends on the “finish line.” As a follower of Christ, there is one “finish line” and it does not move. Quite true in that sense, my final line to cross over will be heading to heaven one day. Until then, I will come across many versions of a “finish line” and I will choose to not wait for that “next line” before I am happy, having fun, celebrating life, etc.

I was also challenged that sometimes you just have to wait for the next, fill in the blank, to life’s circumstances. Really? I don’t think so.

Let me clear that up. I know first-hand what it looks like to wait for that next big thing, specifically retirement. Not mine, my dad’s. He talked for years, I mean at least a decade, about one day he will retire. During that whole time of “waiting” and working, he didn’t really live his life. He would tell me about wanting to take fishing trips, go hiking, etc. and I would encourage him to do it now, don’t wait. He never did. Always had a reason /excuse to not do something. Well, guess what? He finally retired, not in the best of health, overweight, poor knees, etc. He did all the waiting, finally retiring and not being able to do the things he always talked about doing once he was retired.

Now I also know from watching my mom last year fight cancer. There were days I knew she felt bad, yet she would still find ways to smile, help others and even worry about others, including me and my family. She never stopped loving, never waited for the next thing in life, she found happiness in just about anything and anywhere.

As humans, we tend to want more, especially here in the USA. It feels like no one ever has enough and we are always waiting for the next best thing.

Think about your cell phone. How many of you get a new one and then the next model is released and you start thinking about it? Having that new phone, does it really make you happy?  

Are you taking time to appreciate where you are right now? Do you feel thankful for what you have now or are you looking at what is next or can’t wait for that?

Let me help you feel good about your current moment in life. Ready? You are reading this either on a PC, tablet or your phone. Do you realize just how fortunate you are right now? You have the means to have at least one of these or all of these, or maybe you don’t and you are at the library reading this. Then you still are blessed to have access to a free computer to use.

Most reading this also have:

• A roof over their heads
• Air conditioning / heating
• A job that pays you
• Food on the table every day
• 1 car, 2 cars or more
• Clothing that you can change every day
• Medical care
• And more…

Now answer this question: why are you waiting for the next_____________ to be happy, feel happier, be appreciative, etc? Start now and yes you can set goals for those things like a better house or car, but enjoy what you have right now, don’t wait until you are “there.”

That finish line doesn’t just move, it changes. It varies on our own perceptions, needs and wants. Quick example, I used to think I wanted a Mercedes growing up and if I got it I had something special. Well over time I have come to appreciate every vehicle I have owned and none have been a Mercedes, but I no longer dream about one day I’ll have one. Why? My thinking has changed, the whole point of a vehicle is getting you one place to another and my worst looking car, a very rough 1976 Pontiac Lemans, did the exact same thing my current 2017 SUV does – gets me from point a to point b. And I am very content with what I have now, I am not waiting for my “next car” to enjoy what I have now, I love what I have now.

I think by now you are understanding what I meant about that “finish line.”

Thanks for stopping by the fire,

Pastor Dennis