Don't Lose Sight Of The Goal

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14

Numerous sources have told the story of Florence Chadwick, who on one foggy morning in July 1952, waded into the waters off Catalina Island, intent on swimming across the channel to the Southern California mainland. This challenge was not too difficult for Chadwick as she had been the first woman ever to swim the English Channel in both directions.

However, on this day, having lost sight of the land because of the fog, Chadwick decided to give up. As it turned out, she had only been one-half mile from reaching her goal. She was not exhausted or cold. Rather the fog, having obscured her vision from the goal, was the reason she quit. Still, some two months later, on a clear day, Florence Chadwick attempted the same challenge and this time round, she succeeded, setting a new speed record because she was able to keep her eye upon the goal.

As Christians, we have a goal to pursue: to follow Jesus, to become more like Him, to love and serve Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. But, we often encounter the world's fog, which can obscure our vision and keep us from seeing the goal clearly.

Many a times as we travel along life's journey, we find ourselves choosing to give up pursuing the goal because we have become distracted by the fog - the fog of busyness, of career, of material pursuits, of self-interest. We will all experience foggy days, spiritually speaking. Don't quit. Persevere. Do your best to keep your eyes focused on Jesus who awaits with reward in hand, at the finish line.

As the words of that old hymn written by H.H. Lemmel goes:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dimIn the light of His glory and grace.

Today, let the fresh breeze of the Holy Spirit's presence in your life blow away the world's fog. Fix your eyes upon Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.