Do you ever lose sight of the prize? Is there something blocking sight of the shore? Or are you straining ahead?

In July of 1951, Florence Chadwick waded into the cool waters off Catalina Island. She was to be the first woman to swim the 21 miles from the island to the California coast.

Besides the bone-chilling, icy-cold ocean water, and strong current, a dense fog made it hard to see beyond the boat in front of her from where her mother cheered her on. To add to the intimidating challenge were sharks that filled the waters. Thousands watched her on TV as her support crew fired rifles at the sharks.

Despite the challenges, she swam on. After 15 chilling hours, Florence began to complain about the water—and doubted her ability to finish. She asked to be taken out of the water after 16 hours in spite of her mother and trainer cheering her on. After climbing into the boat, she discovered she had quit within a half-mile of her goal. Later, she told a reporter that if she could have seen the land, she would have made it.

A year later, in spite of the obscuring misty fog, she tried again. This time she made it because she kept reminding herself that land was ahead. With that confidence, she bravely swam on to achieve her goal. In fact, she broke the men’s record by 2 hours!

STRAIN TOWARDS THE PRIZE

The Apostle Paul said: “One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14).

Within the narrative of all our stories, come moments, days, and even years at a time when we cannot see where we are going. It’s then, when our waters are cold, and the fog prevents us from seeing, we must remember and strain ahead for our prize, which is Christ Jesus Himself.

It is with an eternal perspective that we press on. Eyes fixed on our goal. Remembering, believing and knowing His promises are true, straining towards the shore that is ahead of us, though we can’t see it.

We must intentionally make good thought choices by choosing to line up our thinking with what we know to be true, even if circumstances and feelings tell us something different. We will then have confidence and bravely continue straining ahead—knowing we will win that prize.

I can’t see the shore yet, but I KNOW it’s there. God’s promises are sure. I’ve made a choice and am learning what it means to be tenacious about grabbing hold of His promises and not giving up (growing weary,) because I know He loves me. Although we may not see and have limited understanding, our trust in His love and promises are limitless.

HOW TO PRESS ON TOWARDS THE SHORE

  • FORGET what’s behind us
  • FIXING OUR EYES on JESUS and His Promises
  • LONGING for Heaven with an Eternal Perspective

Daniel Taylor (author & speaker) talks about a Story-Shaped Faith. He says that faith in God is better thought of as a Story to be lived—than a set of propositions to be believed. We are story-shaped creatures and God has a chosen story as a primary method for relating to us. Finding our place as characters in the story of faith tell us WHO we are, and WHAT we are to do. He says this is the key to a meaningful life. And Jesus says he wants us to have Life Abundantly!

None of our stories are over until we breathe our last breath. As I look at the structure of Stories, at the most basic level, there is always a transformation of a character. The Bible of this transformation through the renewing of our minds. That means agreeing with the Word and choosing to believe it no matter how contrary our circumstances may look.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).

 “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18).

My story, like yours, is not over till we reach the other shore. Since we are still in the middle of our stories we can make meaningful choices that will determine and impact the narrative we live out here.

Remember that you are eternally loved. There was no beginning and there will be no end to God’s love for you!

 Debbie L. Mayer