I also saw something else here on earth: The fastest runner does not always win the race (Ecclesiastes 9:11 , NCV).

But he who endures to the end shall be saved (Matthew 24:13 , NKJV).

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 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 4:6-8, NIV).

Essentials for Finishing Strong

Essential #1: I Train Consistently

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, NLT).

• Stretching my faith

But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea (Exodus 14:16 , NKJV).

• Lifting my hands and heart

In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God... (1 Timothy 2:8, NLT).

Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven (Lamentations 3:41 , NET).

• Running to God in prayer

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe (Proverbs 18:10 , NKJV).

• Being Coachable

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:11 , NIV).

Essential #2: I Drink Deeply

to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word (Ephesians 5:26 , NLT).

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you (Psalm 119:11 , NLT).

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive... (John 7:37-39, NKJV).

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy
Spirit (Ephesians 5:18 , NLT).

Essential #3: I Focus Eternally

So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever (2 Corinthians 4:18 , NLT).

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace (Acts 20:22-24, NIV).

But none of these things move me... (Acts 20:24 , NKJV).