(I am away on travel. I hope you enjoy this article from the past.)
A record breaking, long-distance swimmer, she slipped into the
water from the shore of the Catalina Islands intent on setting another mark.
Her target was to be the first to swim all the way to the coast of California.
She was strong, trained and confident; flanked by a team of safety boats
prepared to offer protection should a shark come near or she was injured. She
made steady progress for fifteen grueling hours, until a thick fog set in. The
inability to see what lay ahead, combined with her exhaustion, caused doubt to
creep in. Yet, with encouragement from her mother, riding in one of the boats,
she pressed on for another full hour until finally she asked to be pulled from
the water. Without her vision, she was convinced she was too far away to
achieve the goal. What she found, as she sat in the boat, was that she was just
one mile short of her intended destination.
Like Florence Chadwick in 1956, we, too, will experience
unforeseen difficulties and setbacks along our way. When we lose our vision, it’s easy to fall
prey to inner doubts. Perseverance- the resolve to press on toward the goal- is
the power that fuels victory. So how can
we access it when challenges arise?
1.
Prepare in Advance.
Florence didn’t just decide one day she could swim long distances. She
developed her stamina, nourished her health and practiced daily. As believers
we need to do the same. Nourish your body with healthy living but more
importantly nourish your soul with daily time in the Word and personal
communion with God. A heart invested with scripture, in strong relationship
with the Creator, is able to push through adversity.
2. Surround yourself with a support group. When
she took to the ocean, Florence was flanked by safety boats and loved ones to
watch over her and encourage her. God didn’t intend us to walk through life
alone. While it’s easy to withdraw from people when challenges strike, it isn’t
wise to do so. Florence was able to swim a full hour longer than she thought
because of the encouragement she received from her mother. The encouragement of
Christian friends and family can help you press on past where you would alone.
3. Trust the path you are on- What
Florence lacked at the end was vision. In life, there are often times when we
cannot see with our own eyes. Florence had only herself to rely upon. But as
believers, we need not rely on our own vision; we can rely-especially in
the midst of difficulties and loss we can’t understand- on God’s perfect
vision. Even when you can’t see the next step, as long as you remain on God’s
path, you can be certain of making it safely through. God watches over you and
nothing can cloud His view.
Message for the Journey:
Don’t give up when you are unable to see the shore. Trust that God
will see you safely to the other side. While we are unable to see, because the
fog of humanity clouds our vision, God sees all things. Whatever difficulty
you’re facing, persevere—press on in faith. He will see you through.
Patient
endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will.
Then you will receive all that he has promised.
Hebrews 10:36
©AnnWilds
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