We Don't Have To Finish Fast!

In our fast-paced society, we don't like motorists who travel too slow on the freeway because of the fact that they tend to slow other motorists down. This in turn causes traffic jams, especially during the five o'clock rush hour. Many times, the traffic can get so congested, that it shows down to a snail's pace.

Have we ever wondered just how slow a snail travels? Answers.com tells us that snail travels at less than 3 inches per minute (16 feet in one hour). No wonder then that we use the phrase "moving at a snail's pace" to indicate the slowness of a person or an object.

Although a snail does move at a "sluggish" pace, one virtue that it does possess is perseverance.

Perseverance is a key component in character development. The apostle Paul explains that "tribulation produces perseverance" (Romans 5:3). Upon that building block go character and hope (Romans 5:4).

The original Greek word translated "perseverance" (Strong's 5281), means "steadfastness, constancy, and endurance." It was used of Christians who endured in their walk of faith despite many painful trials and tribulations.

Have setbacks in life slowed us down to a snail's pace?

Dear reader, let us be encouraged by the fact that God doesn't ask us for a fast finish. He only expects us to finish the Christian race through perseverance (2 Timothy 4:6-7; cf. 2 Timothy 3:10-12).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets