EYES ON THE PRIZE
So far, one of my favorite moments in the Tokyo Summer Olympics was watching seventeen-year-old Lydia Jacoby from Seward, Alaska win gold in the 100-meter breaststroke. My eyes teared up as I witnessed everyone in her hometown cheering for her. To say Jacoby’s victory was unexpected, is a huge understatement.
Here’s a story about another swimmer. Florence Chadwick was the first female to swim the English Channel both ways. She was also the first woman to swim from Catalina Island to the California mainland—on her second attempt. Her first effort at tackling the “twenty-six miles across the sea” was fraught with failure.
Entering the frigid water on July 4, 1952, the fog was so heavy she could barely see the rowboats accompanying her. After fifteen hours, fatigue overtook her and Florence gave up. Climbing into one of the dinghies, several minutes later she was shocked to discover she was only a few hundred yards from shore. Unable to see the coast, Chadwick had simply lost hope.
A lot of us are feeling that way right now. Stuck in a fog that continues after a year-and-a-half. Weary of treading water. Between COVID, its emotional impact, the political climate, racial tensions, and the division in our nation over these issues, at times we just want to climb in a boat and call it quits.
Like Ms. Chadwick, we’re focusing on the fog, instead of our future. We’re watching the water rather than our reward. Then we wonder why we’re frustrated, angry, and stressed-out. God tells us to set our sights on him and his promises. Consider these scriptures. “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2 NIV). “Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2 AMPC). “I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead” (Philippians 3:13 CEV).
Recently I heard, “Our faith-walk is like riding a bike” (another Olympic event). “If you focus on where you are, you’ll crash. But keep looking ahead, and you’ll make it.” Don’t give up in the middle of your race. Fix your eyes on the hope of heaven, and continue moving forward. Lydia Jacoby and Florence Chadwick persevered in their races, and swam into the history books. Let’s not allow the fog of our troubled times to sidetrack us from God’s presence and our reward. Let’s keep our eyes on the prize.
Principle: Keep our eyes on the prize
Promise: Let the hope of heaven inspire you.
Ponder:
Take a moment to calm your soul and focus on your reward.
How does keeping our eyes on the prize help us persevere?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study Colossians 3:1-4.
Prayer: “Lord, I know you’re in charge of the universe. But I’m so easily distracted by the challenges around me. Please lift my eyes above our current circumstances to things that are above.”