How to Reach Your Promised Land- Fix Your Eyes

          The Equestrian Jumping trials are underway in London for the 2012 Summer Olympics. It’s a beautiful sport, with horse and rider moving as one to hurdle obstacles of many shapes and sizes.

          With a horse-crazy daughter in the house, we’ve spent many hours at our local stables watching her ride. While she has tried different styles, jumping is her joy.  Though I don’t ride, I’ve gained many tips from years of observing her lessons. One is just how important it is for the rider to focus their eyes in the right location. It seems a simple thing, but can have painful consequences if done incorrectly.

          Because a horse takes its cues of what to do and where to go from the rider’s body, it’s essential that the rider looks past the jump to the intended destination. Should they drop their eyes instead and look at the obstacle, a shift will occur in their body position. This shift, though slight and nearly unseen, changes the weight on the animal’s back, along with the rider’s balance. As a result, the horse can easily refuse a jump- stopping suddenly before the standard or passing to the side. Either way, the rider may find themselves on the ground in a blink of an eye, failing completely to overcome the obstacle in their path.   

          We, too, can find ourselves struggling to overcome the obstacles of life when we drop our eyes from God’s promises and instead look in the wrong direction. Like the Israelites in the wilderness, when we fixate on the immediate circumstances it is easy to become disappointed, frustrated or upset with the situation at hand.  

          The Israelite’s story holds an important lesson for us. Their attitude in the wilderness caused, what scholars report should be an eleven day journey, to turn into forty years of traversing rough country. Of all those who were led out of Egypt, only Joshua and Caleb - those who kept their eyes on God’s promises -were able to enter the Promised Land. In order to reach our own promised land, we also need to fix our eyes.   

          There is no doubt we’ll all face difficulties while on earth. In fact, Jesus was clear in promising that trouble will come. But that wasn’t all that was promised. He assures us we don’t have to go through them alone. When we focus on the problem, we rely upon ourselves and stumble. But when we keep our focus on Him, He carries us across to the other side. It is in faith that we move in tandem with God, able to hurdle obstacles of all shapes and sizes. 

Message for the Journey:
         
          Even a well-trained horse will miss a jump when its rider misdirects their eyes. So, too, will the obstacles of life cause us trouble if our eyes are focused in the wrong direction. Just as the rider needs to look ahead, passed the jump, to successfully navigate it, we need to look to our promised future, instead of the trouble of the day, to remain triumphant. 

                                                                                                                                ©AnnWilds2012 

"So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever."(2 Corinthians 4:18)

How to Build Strength in Your Marriage-Keep the Dirty Laundry out of Your Mouth

In my mother’s day, people could tell a lot about what went on in a house by the laundry that hung on the clothes line. Diapers meant a new baby was in the house. Swimsuits and towels meant the family had spent time at the beach. And a single set of twin sheets and pajamas meant someone was sick or had an accident in the night. But you never saw dirty laundry on the line. That was kept inside, saved for wash day. Only freshly cleaned laundry hung on the line for all to see.
Sunshine infused laundry is a great approach for our marital relationship. When we share with the world—including our friends and family—the best of our spouse, we strengthen our relationship. But when we share the dirty laundry of our spouse—their imperfections and failures—we weakened our relationship. (The exception to this is abuse which should never be hidden or tolerated.)
Words are important because:
·        Maintaining a focus on the positive keeps their imperfections in correct perspective.
It’s always easier to find fault with others instead of ourselves. None of us is perfect. 
·        Speaking well of your spouse, especially in front of them, builds their self-esteem.
A spouse with a healthy self-esteem is a much better life partner.
·        Critical words spoken about a partner become internalized by the children.
Anything you say derogatory about your spouse within earshot of the kids can, and will, be internalized by your children. They are, after all, half the parent being criticized.   
·        We get more of what we give attention to.
Whatever behavior is rewarded is what increases. Affirmation is an emotional reward. Use it freely.
·        They provide protection from the temptation of adultery.
The spouse that knows they are valued and appreciated is much less likely to fail into temptation.
·        Reputations, once tarnished, are difficult to restore.
There may be times when you need to talk about the challenges you face in your spouse. Before you turn to anyone else, go to God first. He’ll never judge them simply by your words. He judges them on their heart.  
         

Message for the Journey:
Dirty laundry doesn’t belong in our mouths anymore than it belongs on a clothes line. What we speak of is what we focus on and what we focus on is what we speak of. When we intentionally look for the positive traits of our partner, we find them. Don’t hang your spouse’s dirty laundry out to dry, instead affirm and lift them up. You’ll build strength into your marriage and a lifelong future together.

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”                                         
1 Thes. 5:11

How to Skydive Safely

Should you ever wish to skydive, there are two main options available. You can either receive extensive training to become qualified to jump alone or you can receive a few hours of training and jump in tandem with an expert.


Before we started our family, my husband and I tried skydiving where we opted for a tandem jump. After a few hours of learning what to expect and practicing positions, we suited up and walked to the plane. Once in the air, our instructors attached themselves securely to us. We were placed in front while they were behind wearing the parachute.

Walking to the door attached to another person was a bit of an adventure, but knowing an expert was with me all the way gave me confidence. Together my instructor and I stood at the threshold of the open door and, with one step forward, began free-falling into nothingness. It was exhilarating and terrifying all at the same time. I loved it. My husband, not so much.

Jumping tandem was the perfect way to try the sport. It was still scary to jump out of a perfectly good airplane but the fear level was not the same had I been alone. Strapped to an expert, I didn’t have to have all the answers or know what exactly to do. It wasn’t all up to me. I needed to do a small part and then I could enjoy the experience. I had confidence in the expert to pull the rip chord at just the right time to slow our descent and guide us to a safe landing.

The same is true in life. It's not necessary for you to have all the answers or to know exactly what to do. It's not all up to you. God is in control. As His child, you are not alone. Even in the most frightening trials, if you remain yoked with Christ, your ultimate safety is secured. Do your part and leave the rest to Him. You can be confident that He will slow any free-falls and guide you to a perfect landing.

Would I skydive again? Perhaps, when our daughter is fully grown and gone I might jump again. But what I know for certain is that in daily life I never want to jump alone.

Message for the Journey:
Whether you are going through a time of joy floating like a cloud or free-falling through a season of trials, there is only one certainty of achieving a safe landing when it comes to the end of life’s adventure. Those yoked in tandem with Christ will be secure while those who go it alone will meet disastrous results. No matter how turbulent your fall, remain confident that the ultimate Expert is with you guiding your descent.




(original post 7-2011)
Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.