Finish-Iation

As the 2024 Olympics come on the horizon, thanks to the wonder of mass communication, we will be able to see a myriad of competitors go from the starting line to the finish in sprints, midrange, and marathon races. These competitors from over 200 countries have dedicated years of sweat and tears to have a shot at being the best in the world of their discipline. It will be exciting as we watch the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat...

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.  (Acts 20:24, ESV)

This September, the Lord willing, I turn 75 years of age. It is hard to believe as in my mind it seems like I was just in my 40’s and 50’s. While my steps may be slower than in the past, my passion to see the lost found in the Lord’s kingdom has not diminished.

I still recall that cool August day in 1972 when, while standing on a hill in Seattle, a man drove up to me in a big black Lincoln Continental. He got out of the car, walked up to me, and said, “I have a message from God for you! You are to study the Bible, and come to faith in Jesus as your Messiah, for your mission in life is to bring the Gospel to your Jewish people!” (pause for thought)

Little did I know how the Lord prepared me to do what I really did not want to do, move to New York City and reach our people in the largest concentration of Jewish people in North America. But it was indeed there that I gained my journeyman status as a missionary, and then moved from place to place to hone the craft. My biggest lesson from it all was not that I have great talent or ability.

Rather, I had the one thing the Lord desires of each of us… our availability to serve wherever we are and whenever we are granted opportunities to shower others with the Lord of the Lord.

The life of a disciple is not to be compared to a sprint or a fifty-yard dash. No, it is much more like a steeplechase or ultra-marathon – pacing ourselves with proper spiritual preparation and armor for the battles to come.

This summer, Nancy and I took a brief vacation to go to Holland, Iceland, and Scotland. Along the way, we met several Jewish people who, like us are sojourners on this earth. Rose was a server at our hotel in Haarlem. She noticed Nancy’s Magen David (Star of David), and it sparked a conversation about her Jewish background. Rose indicated that someday she wanted to go to Israel where Nancy lived for seven years. I left her a copy of my personal testimony book, Disowned, and invited her to read it and let me know what she thought of Jesus. Please pray for her salvation!

Each day the Lord brings people across our path who need a word of encouragement and hope. You can be one who brightens their day and invites them to join in the journey to the cross that they might receive the greatest reward of all, the free gift of salvation.

So, enjoy the 2024 Olympics, but even more than that, ask yourself who you can be praying for regarding salvation and sharing your faith with them. Let’s finish well in Christ!

Shalom!

Steve Cohen

Steve Cohen is the founder of Apple of His Eye

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