Herbert W. Armstrong often spoke of the church as being on the gun lap, a metaphor drawn from track and field competition. In a race, the gun lap signifies the final lap when a starter's pistol is fired as the lead runner completes the third lap of a mile run, alerting everyone that only a quarter mile remains. The finish line is in sight, and the runner knows exactly how far he has to go, expending all remaining energy to win, aware that he can collapse after crossing the line with the race completed. Spiritually, the gun lap represents our race with notable differences: we cannot see a physical finish line, and we do not know how long this last lap will last. While a runner might pace himself early, on the gun lap he goes full out. It is challenging to maintain that spiritual intensity constantly, as we grow tired and bogged down by daily struggles and trials, sometimes feeling as if we are running in quicksand with no progress. Yet, we must remember that nothing worthwhile comes easy. Though the finish line is not visible, we know our prize—eternal life in the God Family—fuels our motivation. This is our gun lap, and we must decide whether to coast along with apathy or pick up the pace with renewed urgency and faith.

Mr. Armstrong often used the term "gun lap" to convey that we are in a race, and not just any race, but the most important race of our lives. It is a race that holds individual significance for each of us at this very moment. The term "gun lap" refers to the last lap of a mile race on a quarter-mile track, where a shot is fired to signal the final lap, urging runners to give their all. This last lap is often the most difficult part of any race, and for us, it seems the warning shot for our final lap has been sounded. One of the biggest gun laps we have faced was the death of Mr. Armstrong, a time when our comfortable world dissolved, and we had to strain, pray, and struggle to stay in the race amidst challenges and changes. Now, we must consider the gun laps we face today and how we must conduct ourselves in this race. Each of us has our own race to run, striving for mastery over the challenges of this world and our human nature. Our goal must be the Kingdom of God, and we must endure hardships as good soldiers, working for the approval of Jesus Christ without taking shortcuts. Despite the trials and the sin-wrecked world around us, our calling is a wonderful and positive thing. Those who run the gun lap and endure to the end will be at the wedding supper of the Lamb, alongside the faithful who have gone before us. We are not alone in this race; Jesus Christ and His Father are with us, never leaving nor forsaking us. They are our firm, solid, and sure helpers, encouraging us to set our minds and hearts to finish the race we have been given to run.