I recently had the opportunity to go to Ecuador for a Sunfish regatta (that’s a race). I’ve only been sailing for two years, have never sailed on the ocean or even Lake Michigan; yet those who’ve sailed with me urged me to go and gain new insights and experiences. I signed up with my husband's encouragement.
I was really excited about the trip, but as the date drew near, I started to experience some anxiety. Travel delays added to my concerns. When I finally arrived, I wasn’t able to go out for the practice race or experience sailing in these new conditions.
The day of the first race, I was nervous but confident. I followed some of the other boats out of the harbor into open water. I have sailed in similar wind conditions; however, the current, tide, and white-capped waves causing severe choppiness were all new to me. As I started sailing, my focus was on my boat and all the water coming over the bow. I kept going, but I could feel myself becoming more afraid. At one point, I seriously considered turning back because I felt so out of my element. Thankfully, I lifted my eyes and saw the other sailors; I attempted to copy what they were doing. Then I gave myself a pep talk to not give up!
Our lives are filled with hard things: work, relationships, sickness, and the list goes on. Jesus told us we would have trouble in this world, but we are to take heart because he has overcome the world (John 16:33)!
How do we take heart? Lift our eyes and look to Jesus! Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” [NIV]
Jesus fixed his eyes on the prize, you and me, to endure what he did. His love drove him to our rescue. And he gave us a great cloud of witnesses: not just those who’ve gone before us, but our Christian brothers and sisters. He puts us in a family of believers that we can look to when we are afraid or struggling. We have the opportunity to love each other as he loved us.
No matter what’s going on today, fix your eyes on Jesus. He gives us hope, peace, and love!
I was really excited about the trip, but as the date drew near, I started to experience some anxiety. Travel delays added to my concerns. When I finally arrived, I wasn’t able to go out for the practice race or experience sailing in these new conditions.
The day of the first race, I was nervous but confident. I followed some of the other boats out of the harbor into open water. I have sailed in similar wind conditions; however, the current, tide, and white-capped waves causing severe choppiness were all new to me. As I started sailing, my focus was on my boat and all the water coming over the bow. I kept going, but I could feel myself becoming more afraid. At one point, I seriously considered turning back because I felt so out of my element. Thankfully, I lifted my eyes and saw the other sailors; I attempted to copy what they were doing. Then I gave myself a pep talk to not give up!
Our lives are filled with hard things: work, relationships, sickness, and the list goes on. Jesus told us we would have trouble in this world, but we are to take heart because he has overcome the world (John 16:33)!
How do we take heart? Lift our eyes and look to Jesus! Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” [NIV]
Jesus fixed his eyes on the prize, you and me, to endure what he did. His love drove him to our rescue. And he gave us a great cloud of witnesses: not just those who’ve gone before us, but our Christian brothers and sisters. He puts us in a family of believers that we can look to when we are afraid or struggling. We have the opportunity to love each other as he loved us.
No matter what’s going on today, fix your eyes on Jesus. He gives us hope, peace, and love!
Posted in Pastors Blog
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