The White Flag is Waving
Debby DeStefano
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13-14
It has been a long, hard race. Some laps have had mountains to climb and yet others you seemingly coasted along. The race at times has become monotonous, each lap running over into the next. You try to keep your eyes focused on the finish line when it will be worth it all. There have been many distractions along the way that have taken your focus off of the finish line and maybe even your purpose for even being in this race. You quickly readjust your attention to the goal ahead of you. Losing your focus could cost you the race or at least precious time that can never be regained. You are beginning to get weary and wonder if you will make it. But wait! What is that up ahead? You strain your eyes to get a better look. Is it? Could it be? Yes, right up ahead you see a
white flag
waving. The warning flag that you are about to enter the very
last lap. You get a renewed strength and vigor that you didn’t know you had within you. This is it. It’s the last lap. The finish line is not much farther ahead.
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”
1 Corinthians 9:24
I know very little about almost every sport, especially racing, other than cars go around in circles until someone crosses the finish line and wins. But when I heard it explained what the white flag meant, I thought about the word picture that it painted in my mind of these last days. We are all in that last lap. The white flag is waving, and the checkered flag is within sight. How is your race going? Are you going to make it across the finish line? Have you been distracted along the way and have pulled off the track? Did you have to make a pit stop and replace some parts or make some adjustments? Have you just stopped on the track and said, “I just can’t do it, I quit”? Do you feel as though you have just lost too much time so what would be the use to get back in the race now?
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Philippians 4:13
“ And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Galatians 6:9
There are so many reasons why we can lose sight of that finish line but in light of eternity none of them will hold up in God’s eyes. No one who has lived life for any length of time will tell you it has been a walk in the park. Everyone has struggles and trials in their lives. Some people are surprised that when they become Christians everything is not a bed of roses. Sometimes the opposite is true. Satan doesn’t want Christians to live for the Lord, so he will throw every monkey wrench he can into our lives to discourage us and disable us.
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,
and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”
Hebrews 12:1
So fellow racer and Christian don’t be discouraged. If you have slowed down, be encouraged and speed back up. If you have quit, get back up and get back in the race. Let’s stay in the race. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 10:25 that when we see the end approaching to not slow down, but to be even more involved. Be even more faithful! The white flag is waving and the checkered flag is within sight. Let’s finish our race in victory!
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is;
but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:25
“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself,
so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry,
which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”
Acts 20:24
About the Author
Debby, the daughter of our church founder, has dedicated her life to serving God at Fairwinds Baptist Church. Now a retired pastor's wife, she continues to inspire us with uplifting devotionals, choosing joy despite her health struggles. Her unwavering faith enriches our community and reflects our mission to know God through Jesus Christ.
