I’ve been enjoying watching some of the Olympics on the television. There’s something kind of inspirational in watching some of these athletes compete. I’ll be honest, I’m still not a fan of professional’s competing in what were once “amateur games.” Not too interested in the “dream teams”. It’s the “no names” pursuing a dream that capture my attention . . . those who sacrifice for four years, some to the point of hovering in poverty, for the hope and privilege of competing against the world’s best on the world’s stage. They are those who dedicate themselves wholly to being ready for that prize which comes available to them once every four years . . . for many, coming available only once in their lifetime. They are those who are focused on the prize . . . those who order their lives around going for gold . . .

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up 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 loved His appearing.   (2Timothy 4:6-8 ESV)

As I finish up my reading in 2Timothy this morning it’s evident that Paul is coming to the end of his life. He has poured out his life as an offering to God . . . his “departure” is at hand. Yet you can’t help but pick up on the fact that Paul is “sprinting” the home stretch . . . still going strong. Having fought the good fight . . . having finished the race . . . having kept the faith . . . his spirit soars with the anticipation of receiving the prize . . . of gaining the crown. It’s been his goal since he was “recruited” by the Lord Jesus on that road to Damascus. For Paul, to live was Christ, to die gain (Php. 1:21). He would count all things loss in order to pursue “the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Php. 3:14).

Like going for gold four years out, sometimes you need to hang your hat on some future vision to prompt you to order your life aright now. So if I want to “go out” as Paul did, then how should I be living now? Paul looked forward to receiving the “crown of righteousness” and said that it would not only be given to him, “but also to all who have loved His appearing.” So, it’s available to me . . . the question being do I love His appearing?

Do I long for that day when I will see Jesus? Are the words, “Come, Lord Jesus” frequently on my mind? I remember years ago a preacher saying that the opposite of love isn’t hate, but that it’s indifference. That has stuck with me for years . . . and it came to mind as I was meditating on this verse this morning. Do I love His appearing . . . or am I kind of indifferent? So often the “prize before me” is obscured by the distractions around me. All too often my concern with the “here and now” results in complacency about the “there and then.”

I do love His appearing — both of them!!! The first appearing when He came as the Son of Man, the Lamb of God, to pay the price to redeem my soul. And I long for His next appearing . . . whether that be as I go to Him . . . or He comes for me in the sky . . . as the King of kings, and the Lord of lords . . . to call His church to Himself . . . to set up the new heavens and new earth. I do long for it . . . but so often it can be “outta’ sight, outta’ mind.”

How I need to, by His grace and through His indwelling Spirit, strive to keep His appearing always before me . . . to be my daily anticipation . . . to be my daily motivation . . . to be my daily celebration!!

His appearing . . . that’s what I’m in training for . . . that’s why I seek to run the race . . . to fight the fight . . . to keep the faith. That’s the gold I’m going for . . . by His grace . . . for His glory!