Finish Line
I remember how this song came about extremely well. I wrote the lyrics bit by bit during the fall of 1999, and locked myself in a practice room at my alma mater, the University of Maryland at College Park, on the night of December 31st, achieving my goal of finishing the song just before midnight. I was in the thick of this journey from dysfunction to function, and the process of owning up to my lot in life made for many low moments. The obstacles that stood in the way; some cultivated, others inherited—my prayer life took on a very militant, defensive, demanding tone, because frankly, I never did ask for any of this, and if it truly was God’s will that I should run the race of life in this less-than-ideal condition, He also would have to employ some plan to see me through to the winner’s circle. If He couldn’t, by His power, save me as I faithfully placed my life in His hands, then in my mind, He cannot be God. I reviewed the story of Job, and saw a very mature man of God emerge. After having lost his children, possessions, friends, and even the comfort of his wife, he responded by raising his head to heaven and saying, “Even though you slay me, I’ll still serve You!”
Finish Line is not a song that was written from a joyous heart, but rather, one that had resolved that even what at times seems like an unfair burden dealt from God would not detain me from making it to the kingdom. Because of Job’s testimony some 2500+ years ago, today I am inspired to dig my heels in and say,
At the Finish Line,
I will meet you there on Judgment Day
To receive the crown that’s mine
I may never have relief,
And my sun may never shine
But, sure as the day,
I’ll meet You at the line!
This is the theme of my existence. Every obstacle we face has been engineered to generate a testimony of victory that some other struggler needs to hear. Chin up! There’s a crown of glory to be had, and souls to be won in the process. Plan to arrive with flying colors—at the Finish Line.