Finish and Finished

She had just won $400,000 in a second-place finish in the world’s greatest horse race. But galloping off the stress in the run down of that tortured Kentucky Derby oval, Eight Belles, the only filly in the race, snapped both front ankles and was euthanized within minutes. It is a stunning win tempered by a tragic loss. Even first-place horse Big Brown threw his rider on looking at the stricken Eight Belles.

The "post mortems" range from discussions on horse breeding practices to the quality of the running track and even to suspending jockey Gabriel Sanchez if it is determined he had any knowledge that his horse was in trouble during the actual race. If the latter proves true, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) wants the $400,000 second place prize money returned. Other discussions address the imbalance of upper body weight against spindly equine leg bones.

Eight Belles enters the record books at the apex of victory and the depths of loss. Sports writer Jerry Izenberg of The Star Ledger ended his sober column, "She was born to run, and she was determined to catch Big Brown. She died trying."

Races of any kind, especially this one, somehow focus biblical truths of the Christian’s competition on the track of life. The twin notations of victory and death at least faintly reflect the Apostle Paul’s last words in 2 Timothy 4:6-8. "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." He declares that as he finishes the race, he’s going to die.

Other race course passages stress the supreme finish line focus despite any cost. Hebrews 12:1-2 says, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

For some believers across the centuries, the race guaranteed death, but the Heavenly prize was worth it as Revelation 12:11 says of their victory over the Evil One. "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death."

In Christian competition, the highest prize awaits those who persevere first in the Lord’s commendation as Matthew 25:23 promises: "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord."

A life well-lived also guarantees permanent rewards. "Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Write: "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit," that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them"’" (Rev. 14:13).

This Derby tragedy is a painful sports footnote, but the passing of the Christian victor eternally crystallize life’s victories. As the old hymn says, "This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise, To seize the everlasting prize, And shout while passing through the air, Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer."

At the close of a thrilling evangelistic service I held years ago, the pastor exclaimed, "All this and Heaven too!" When a great believer was breathing his last, a close friend said, "He’s dying full of life." The epitaph of a notable mountain climber who perished in a try for the summit, read, "He died climbing."

Our Christian prayer and passion hopefully matches Paul’s. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Shortly before he died and went to Heaven, I leaned in close to my father’s face (another Paul) and asked him if he had a final word. He feebly and quietly said, "Fought … a good … fight …" He had run out of mortal breath, so I finished it for him. "… finished the course … kept the faith … a crown of righteous is laid up for you…"

David Virkler