It happens almost every year. The football player makes a fantastic play and breaks away down the field with an apparent touchdown ahead. They drop the ball and begin celebrating. The fans cheer, and the player relishes the accolades of the crowd.

The problem is that they dropped the ball a few steps short of the goal line. The referee, closely watching the play, sees the mistake and never blows his whistle. The other team picks up the ball, and there is no score because the player did not make it to the goal.

The Christian life is to be played to the final goal line. Stopping anywhere short is a mistake. And celebrating anything before the points are secured is also a blunder.

I think of this analogy almost weekly. Someone I once knew on my journey of faith had a bright future ahead of them. They were the loudest singer in Children’s Church, the most enthusiastic teenager in the youth group, the cornerstone of their college ministry, and the shining example of faith in a young adult. They were involved in full-time ministry, a volunteer leader, or held an office in their Church. They taught Sunday school, led small groups, and retired with dreams of dramatic influence on their family. AND then they walk away from the faith. They quit serving, attending, and living for Jesus short of the goal line.

My heart breaks watching one life after another derail on their journey with Jesus for a myriad of reasons. I want believers to grab ahold of their faith and never let go.

On the flip side, I watch people make a mess of their lives, ignore God, and drag themselves through unnecessary heartache. They spend their lives away from the Church and faith as prodigal sons. AND then one day, they turn to Jesus. They start serving, attending, and living for Jesus and cross the goal line with a thriving faith.

My heart is also overjoyed when someone comes home to Jesus and lives the rest of their life as a Christian.

Where you are today doesn’t matter; it is where you finish that counts.

Turn to Jesus. And then hold tight to what you believe and never drop the ball. Celebration is for those who cross the line clinging to Jesus with all their might.