Florence Chadwich, at the age of 34, on July 4, 1952 waded into the water off Catalina Island and began her 21 mile swim toward California. If she completed her journey, she would be the first woman ever to accomplish this feat. The water was ice cold, and the fog was so heavy, that Florence could hardly see the boats in her own party. Sharks often began to attack Florence as she swam and men armed with rifles in the boats surrounding her had to drive them off with carefully aimed shots. But the constant numbing cold of the water was her toughest problem. Fifteen hours after she began, she asked to be taken out, her muscles sluggish and unresponsive due to the frigid water. Her mother and trainer, alongside in the boat, told her they were near land. They encouraged her not to quit. But as she looked ahead, all she could see was the dense fog.....so she gave up and asked to be taken out of the water. When they pulled her out, she was only a half mile from the California cost! Only a small fraction of her journey was incomplete....she almost did it. Later, when Florence’s body began to thaw, the shock of failure finally hit her. To a reporter she blurted out, "Look, I’m not excusing myself. But if I could have SEEN the land, I might have made it." Two months after her failure, Florence Chadwick walked off the same beach into the same channel and swam the distance, setting a new speed record, because she could see the land.
Wouldn’t life be easier if we could just see the big picture? As we venture through this journey in following God’s plan and purpose, sometimes we wish we can just get a glimpse of what God has in store for us. Aren’t we often like Florence Chadwich in the midst of her swim? We just churn along through the choppy waters of life, swimming blindly to whatever is ahead, at times it seems. Surrounded by preachers, friends, and family barking along their encouragement, we struggle to prevent weariness and fatigue from taking over. If only we could see the land, even if just a glimpse, it will give us a little more motivation. Then we read a verse such as this: For we walk by faith, not by sight (II Corinthians 5:7). Faith, that same inexplicable word, used over and over in pews and pulpits and pages to explain the Christian life, has now shown itself as our excuse to press on. That same faith which nominated men and women of the Old Testament to a chapter devoted solely on those heroes, rightfully named because of it. It was that faith that allowed them to see what their human eyes could not and to comprehend what their finite minds could not. By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. (Hebrews 11:8) Abraham could not see nor did he know where he was going, but faith in the One who was leading the charge served as His motivation. I may not see God physically, but I have seen what He has done. It is enough to help me see that in the days and steps ahead, He is leading. Though the fogs of doubt will forever try to dampen my spirit, I know the One who is in control. I will keep churning through the choppy waters of life because His presence and promises give me a glimpse of His glory. Too often we give more weight to our circumstances than we do to God. Instead of looking to our situation, look into His promises. It is in His word and in His work that we can see enough to give us that extra burst of motivation to finish the course. As we seek God’s purpose in life, allow your faith to serve as your vision to the coming days ahead. Don’t look at the uncertainties, look to Him. You may not know, but He does.
No comments:
Post a Comment