I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. – 2 Timothy 4:7

Before converting to Christianity, Paul, who was originally known as Saul, was a devout Pharisee and a zealous persecutor of early Christians. He actively opposed the teachings of Jesus and played a role in the persecution and imprisonment of believers. However, his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus transformed his life, leading to his conversion and subsequent dedication to spreading the message of Christ.

Paul faced numerous challenges throughout his life. As an early Christian leader, he encountered opposition from the church, as they did not trust him based on his previous conduct. He endured physical hardships, including beatings, shipwrecks, and hunger. Despite these difficulties, he remained steadfast in his faith and continued spreading the good news of Christ.

In our verse for today, we see him express a deep sense of satisfaction and gratitude to God for the life he had lived. In spite of all the challenges, he was content with the fact that he lived for Christ and was about to die in Him. Wouldn’t we all love to say with absolute contentment and gratitude, at the hour of our death, that we have been able to execute the assignment God gave us on earth, while holding on steadfastly to our faith?

Many of us today have developed the urge to give up on a calling, assignment, or a dream God has embedded in our hearts due to challenges and hardships we have no control over. If there is anything we can learn from Paul’s story, it is perseverance and complete faith that God will see us through.

Today, we are asking God to grant us the strength and determination to persevere through life’s challenges, our callings and assignments. We ask that He helps us stay steadfast in our faith and trust in His guidance. May He give us courage to keep going, even when things get tough. In Jesus’ name, amen.”