Kept the Faith

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me 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 his appearing.” —  2 Timothy 4:7–8 (NIV)

As a project manager in a past life, I discovered that while the beginning of a project is challenging—bringing together tasks, timelines, and resources—it’s also full of promise. There’s energy in the planning, hope in the vision. 

But as the project unfolds, the bumps start to appear. Resources you counted on suddenly disappear. Deadlines slip. Sometimes you adjust by bringing in new support, and sometimes, hopefully rarely, you escalate to the steering committee. But mostly, you press on—plowing through that “perfect plan” toward completion. 

And when you finally reach the end, there’s a sigh of relief. You meet with the client to review what went well, what’s still open, and what you’ve learned for next time.

Paul’s words in 2 Timothy echo that rhythm. Near the end of his life, he reflects not just on what he’s done, but how he’s done it: “I have fought… I have finished… I have kept…” These aren’t just accomplishments—they’re testimonies of perseverance. Paul doesn’t claim perfection. He claims faithfulness.

And then he points to the reward: “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness…” Just as a completed project ends with a review, Paul reminds us that our lives will be met not with critique, but with a crown—a reward not for flawless execution, but for faithful endurance. And this reward isn’t just for him—it’s for all who long for Christ’s appearing. For all who keep showing up. For all who finish well.

So today, whatever race you’re running—whether it’s a ministry, a relationship, a season of waiting—remember that finishing well means staying faithful, even when it’s hard. Even when the plan changes. Even when you’re not sure how it will all come together.

God of the long journey, thank You for walking with us through every twist and turn. Strengthen us to keep the faith—not just in moments of triumph, but in seasons of struggle. Help us finish well, trusting that You are faithful to complete the good work You began in us. Amen.

Peace & Grace,

Pastor Tim