THE LAST LAP

"Lasse Viren of Finland was a 23-year-old policeman when he made his Olympic debut in 1972. His first event was the 10,000m. Midway through the race, Viren was running in fifth place when he suddenly stumbled and fell. He rose quickly and moved up to second place within 230 metres. The lead changed hands several times. Then with 1½ laps to go, Viren applied pressure. One by one, his opponents fell behind. Viren won by six metres and broke the seven-year-old world record.

Lasse Viren was a strong supporter of training in the woods. "The tranquillity of nature creates mental strength" he said. "When you run in the woods, you will have to change rhythm to avoid roots, just in the same way as you have to be constantly alert in a competition"."

Lasse had learned his lesson - out in the wilderness. Alone.

But how about your competition, brothers and sisters? Can you now hear the bell clanging for the last lap? There has already been several years of hard training and practising only for this short period of time; and although the race has been tuff and consuming - yes, some falls have been there, too - it won't be getting any easier towards the very end. All the other competitors are there for the same trophy: see that hot-headed Moslem, that sharp-eyed Communist, the extremingly firm Hindu, persistent JW, those undivided Mormon brothers ... Let me tell you, they are going to get it!

But remember, it is only this one last lap! It might cost you a lot - there might even be horrendous suffering for you in these last moments ... but the magnificent reward will assuredly be there. The Great Judge of the competition has given His Word for it.

"And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him!" (Matt. 25:6). But - who is crying?

Do you want to be a "Lasse"? To proclaim Christ Jesus only, Bridegroom, Who will soon, very soon, come back! To sound the trumpet of God - to be the inspirer, who will shake up the sleeping!

I do. And may God bless you all abundantly in that, too.

In His Wonderful Name,

Olli-Pekka Tuikkala