The Finish Line: A Vision of Perseverance and the Reality of Falling Short

After a series of sharp critiques of pride, self-sufficiency, and smugness, Steve Taylor continues Squint with a song that is both sobering and redemptive in "The Finish Line."

This song is a vivid meditation on the struggle of faith, the temptations that derail us, and the grace that sustains us even when we stumble.

"The Finish Line" begins with an image of rebirth:

"Once upon an average morn, an average boy was born for the second time." This speaks to the reality of the Christian life—new birth in Christ is just the beginning. The protagonist of the song is on a journey, one that requires perseverance, but it is a journey filled with peril. The song quickly introduces the challenge: a host of competing "little gods" that threaten to take the place of the true Father. Taylor's protagonist, aware of the stakes, declares that by God's grace, he will never kneel to these false gods. It is a defiant resolution, an acknowledgment that faith requires courage and a clear purpose.

The imagery in the first half of the song paints a picture of an idealized race toward the "finish line."

The protagonist is proud, strong, and determined. He waves to the crowd, laughs at the Philistines, brushes away rocks, and pulls up his socks—all symbols of someone confidently facing the road ahead. But even as he starts strong, darkness looms. Taylor introduces the inevitable collapse with the line, "Darkness falls, the devil stirs," signaling that the path of faith is anything but smooth. The heart becomes weak, conviction falters, and the strength to continue seems to drain away.

This shift in tone is mirrored musically, as the song moves from a hopeful beginning to a more somber reflection on the fragility of human resolve. The protagonist begins to fall, not in a dramatic, instant moment, but gradually. The "acid guile" of temptation floods the trail, and "every little god buys its pound of flesh," pulling the person further from their original vision. Taylor’s language here is stark: the world demands its price, and it is costly.

Yet even as the protagonist stumbles, there is still a trace of hope in the song.

In the second half, the protagonist's journey is shown in more human terms: he’s licking his wounds, weaving cocoons, changing his tunes to fit the party line, and hedging his bets. There is a sense of compromise, a recognition of how easy it is to become entangled in the world's systems, to give in to temptation and lose sight of the vision. Yet, Taylor does not let us linger in despair. The chorus returns, and with it comes the reminder that by God's grace, the protagonist "will never kneel." This is not the end of the story.

The closing lines of the song bring the listener back to the central truth of the Christian life:

"These have tried to take your place, but Father, by your grace I will never kneel." The vision has become blurred and the road has been difficult, but the resolution remains: God’s grace is the key to finishing well. The line "I will never kneel" becomes not just a defiant declaration against the "little gods," but also a reminder that God alone provides the strength to persevere.

Musically, "The Finish Line" has a sweeping quality, with its ebbs and flows mirroring the song's journey from triumph to struggle and, finally, to renewed determination. The arrangement reflects the theme of perseverance, with moments of intensity followed by quieter, reflective sections. This musical structure helps convey the emotional rollercoaster of the lyrics—moments of confidence followed by moments of weakness, but always returning to the hope of grace.

Theologically, the song encapsulates the tension of the Christian life:

We are called to run the race with endurance, but we are not guaranteed a smooth journey. Temptation, failure, and doubt are real. Yet, it is God’s grace, not our own strength, that ensures we can finish the race. "The Finish Line" offers a message of perseverance, but it also reminds us of our need for grace every step of the way. The song doesn't sugarcoat the struggle, but it offers hope: it is not the strength of our resolve that matters most, but the grace of God that sustains us.

In many ways, this song brings the first half of Squint full circle.

From the mocking critiques of smugness and self-reliance in the early tracks, to the painful recognition of our need for grace in "Jesus is for Losers," "The Finish Line" moves us to a place of resolution. We are reminded that, despite our stumbles and weaknesses, grace is enough to carry us forward to the end. The "finish line" is not a place we can reach on our own strength, but it is a place where grace will meet us.

This post is part of my series walking through Steve Taylor’s album “Squint.” An album that still speaks to the absurdities of our culture contrasted by the grace being offered us.