40-Day Devotion, Day 40

PREPARATION: READ 2 TIMOTHY 4:7-8

Last Words

I did not really know my wife before we got married. Don’t get me wrong– I thought I knew her. We had dated “exclusively” for 18 months, and been friends for years before that. I had heard her jokes, familiarized myself with her goals and dreams, knew her favorite restaurants, and spent time with her family. Plus, I was enamored with her wisdom and beauty. All that to say, we were not exactly strangers.

But soon after we got married, I discovered that there were millions of things about her that had been previously unknown to me... like the fact that she never cries at movies, or her affection for small, “girly” dogs, or the otherworldly iciness of her feet at night. She kept all of those hidden during our dating years.

But even those character defects paled in comparison to this: soon after our wedding, I discovered that my new bride likes to read the end of every book before the beginning. No kidding. She picks up a new book, opens to the final pages, reads the ending, and if she is satisfied, turns to chapter one and begins to read... and she does this without one twinge of conscience.

I must confess, this behavior shocked me. It seemed scandalous, and I told her so! Turns out, I may owe her an apology. A few years back I read an obscure study, published in 2011 that suggests that people like my wife—readers who read the end of books before the beginning—are actually more fulfilled readers. Apparently, these readers feel more relaxed and secure, knowing that the story will end the way they want... and they enjoy the reading experience more than their peers. Who knew? Apparently my wife... which proves something else I learned after we were married—she is nearly always right!

In some ways, my wife’s reading habits illustrate an important truth that ties together this 40-Day Study: the end of the story makes the rest of the story worth telling. We can answer God’s call with confidence. We can endure the twists and plot-turns throughout life—the roller-coaster ride of highs and lows—because we already know that, in the end, everything will be all right! The conclusion makes the rest of the story worth telling.

When Paul answered God’s call on the road to Damascus, there was no way for him to see where his journey would carry him. He could not have known about the long missionary trips. He couldn’t foresee the violence he would face or the hardships he would endure or even the incredible things God would allow Him to see. All he knew is that the God of the universe was calling, and that was enough. Paul left everything and devoted His life to God. He never looked back... or at least not until the end of the journey. As Paul’s time on Earth dwindled to mere months, he sat down and penned a letter to his protégée, Timothy. As he paused to survey a life of ministry for God, Paul gave the following assessment:

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 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)

Do you hear the hope in Paul’s words? He does not fear death, nor does he see this as a moment for mourning. Instead, standing at the crossroads of eternity, he looks backwards and declares, with great satisfaction, that he has been faithful to God’s call in his life. Then he looks ahead to the future, and with longing in his voice, anticipates the next chapter. He is going home, and he can barely wait! After all of the hardships and turmoil; the hungry days and cold nights and painful encounters and narrow escapes, Paul stands in a position where he can see God’s hand in both directions, and it was all worth it!
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