Finish the race...

November 21st, 2025

This past week has been a full one for our family, the kind where you’re grateful for God’s goodness, good coffee, and the fact that seven people can actually fit in a car for a few hours. With Alexa home for a wedding and Sophia home from college, all seven of us piled in to watch Alexa’s fiancé, Jaren, play in his senior football game.

The first part of the drive turned into a full-blown dance party. Our “DJ” cranked the music, and all of us danced like nobody was watching, except, of course, anyone nearby on the highway. It wasn’t pretty, but it was unforgettable…watch out for us at the wedding ?.

The game itself was a thrill. Evangel played great, won convincingly, and Jaren delivered the hit of the day, the kind you hear before you even process it. Their win earned them a spot in the national tournament, and they’ll take the field again tomorrow. On the way home, we celebrated with a stop at Braum’s. Ice cream, burgers, and fries are tough to beat.

Then today, we switched sports and watched Sophia’s UCM soccer team play in the postseason. We watched online while my parents drove out to cheer her on in person. And we all celebrated together, in person and virtually when UCM won on a golden goal in overtime.

Moments like this remind me how much unseen effort goes into every victory…early mornings, setbacks, discipline, and perseverance. And it made me think about life as a race, where dedication often happens far from the spotlight.

That brings us to the final chapter of Paul’s final letter and our final sermon in the series this Sunday from 2 Timothy 4:1–22. Paul is at the end of his race. He’s not boasting. He’s not complaining. He’s passing the baton with humility, clarity, and deep confidence in the gospel. His words challenge Timothy and us to speak boldly, live faithfully, and finish well.

Paul’s final instructions are both a challenge and a promise. They remind us to pour our lives into what matters most, to remain faithful when it’s hard, and to trust that the gospel endures. It is unshakable and worth dedicating our lives to.

I hope you’ll join us Sunday as we hear Paul’s powerful last words and consider what it means to run our race with purpose and faithfulness… ideally with a little less soreness than our athletes this week.

Services are at 8:00, 9:15 (Full KidCity available), or 10:45 am (Full KidCity available), or you can watch the Livestream on YouTube (Like and Subscribe) or on our New Life website at 9:15 am. Also, we would LOVE for you to follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

See you soon,

Troy

Posted in sunday, crossroads churches, Local churches crossroads, churches downtown, church kcmo, kids, FAMILY FRIENDLY CHURCHES, authentic christianity