While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. — 2 Corinthians 4:18

Paul calls us to look past the scoreboard, past the clock, past the trials of the hour, to the day when we will appear before the throne of God. The perspective of the eternal sustains us. As the poem says, "We have only one life and it will soon be past, and only what we do for Christ will last."

Conclusion

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We have learned in 2 Corinthians 4 that to follow the Lord, we, like Paul, will face trials and difficulties, fourth quarters of life. We have learned:

• What to Expect in the Fourth Quarters of Life
• How to Condition for the Fourth Quarters of Life
• What We Must do in the Fourth Quarters of Life.
• And we are left with the echo of the encouraging words of Paul (and I want you to say it with me . . . ) "Hard Pressed . . . but not crushed; Perplexed . . . but not in despair; Persecuted . . . but not forsaken; Struck down . . . but now destroyed."

I want to tell you a story about a boy I knew, but the names and events are changed just a bit. Let me put it like this: once upon a time there was a player and there was a game. It wasn't the big, strong UTC Football team on the line that day. It was the Special Olympics, the great games that give kids with special needs a shot at glory. This boys name was Toby. Toby had Downs Syndrome and Toby had a dream. Toby's dream was to run a race and cross the finish line and bask in the glory of victory. That was his parent's dream, too. It was only a 100-yard dash, but that was a lot for Toby. But he had faith and hope, and Toby had even trained for the race. Toby was ready. The gun went off, and all of the athletes took off. Some were pretty fast! But Toby was heavy, and was having trouble breathing. He kept running, but Toby was way behind. Toby was not going to make it. Toby . . . fell. Toby's dreams, like his lungs, were gasping for air. Toby's face was buried in the turf, his tears mixing with sod to form a sort of muddy heartache. Suddenly, a new figure emerged onto the scene. It was Toby's Dad. You see, this race wasn't just Toby's dream; it was his father's dream, too. In fact, Toby's dad wanted Toby to win the race probably more than Toby wanted it for himself. All of the other runners were safely home. They had all run the race when a scene happened that gripped the hearts of all there. Toby's dad, picked up Toby, held that big boy in his arms, and began to run. He ran with Toby all the way to the finish line.

The truth of the Gospel is this: none of us can really run the race of faith ourselves. Sin has left us with special needs. But we have a Father who had a dream and he will not be denied. For all who call upon the name of the Lord, the Father wants you to make it through the race, through the Fourth Quarters of life, all the way home even more than you do. In theology we call it "The Perseverance of the Saints." This is the Bible truth that God Himself, through the life of Jesus, the One and Only Victor, and the Holy Spirit who empowers you, will get you through and will bring you home. That is the Gospel. There is no other way, but thru faith in Jesus Christ.

The clock is still ticking. But Christ is reigning, and we will not lose heart.

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Michael A. Milton is Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga, TN.

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