One of the most influential leaders of the Christian church in the last century was a quiet and unassuming theologian named John Stott. He spent much of his life serving one church, All Souls Langham Place in London.
But he also served the global church. He preached all over the world.
He challenged evangelicals everywhere not just to preach the gospel boldly, but to live boldly and Biblically. He challenged us not only to tell the world about Jesus, but also to demonstrate the love of Jesus in caring for the poor and the disenfranchised.
Throughout his 70 year ministry he wrote several books. One of them, Basic Christianity, is a book that every believer should read.
When I think of a life well-lived, I think of John Stott. He lived well and he finished strong.
In the final days of his life, confined to bed, knowing the end was near, he asked for two things.
One, to hear Handel’s Messiah again and again.
Two, for a friend to read again and again from one book of the Bible: 2 Timothy.
Like the Apostle Paul, John Stott was prepared to say…
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)
I think that’s what we all want to be able to say. The good new is that anyone can.
No life need be summarized with a wistful phrase of regret. Anyone can go out on top. I’m not talking about going out rich or going out famous. I’m talking about going out content. Satisfied. Full of joy, hope, and expectation.
The best time to consider this, of course, is sooner, not later.
And here’s more good news.
It’s never too late. It’s never too late to start fighting the good fight. It’s never too late to become who you might have been.
Leaders like John Stott can inspire us all to stay in the race, or even get in the race … to live every moment as if it matters for all eternity — because every moment does.
Here’s to finishing well. And to making today count toward that end.
