Florence Chadwick was a seasoned long-distance swimmer who, in 1952, set out to swim the channel between Catalina Island and the California coast. She had many obstacles to overcome that July day. The shark-infested water was incredibly cold. The fog was so thick she could barely see the boats alongside her.
After fifteen long, grueling hours, she felt as though she could swim no longer. Her muscles screamed with pain and she was totally exhausted.
Her coach, of course, pleaded with her to keep going, “It’s just a little farther. You’re almost there! Don’t give up!”
But when Florence looked ahead, all she could see was a blanket of fog. Tired, cold, and totally discouraged, Florence quit. She quit! Florence had a goal, but her view was clouded. She couldn’t see the shoreline.
Have you ever strived to reach a goal only to quit because your view became clouded with unimportant issues, difficulties, or sin? As Christians, our ultimate goal is too follow Christ. Hebrews 12:2 advises us, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”
If we fix our eyes on Him, we will reach His goal for our life. What Florence didn’t know when she quit was that the shoreline was a mere half mile away.
Two months after her first attempt, Florence tried the swim again. This time, she not only made it, but also set a new speed record! What made the difference? The shoreline had not moved closer. The water was still very cold. But this time, the sky was blue, and Florence could see land!
Dear friend, like Florence, we can lose heart when we lose sight of our Guide, our end-marker, Fix your eyes on Jesus, and you will finish the race no matter what obstacles you encounter.
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised” Hebrews 10:36
By Vonette Bright
©2023 Copyright Bright Media