Week Two, 2014

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2a

When I was in high school, we had a great football team and the year after I graduated, they won the state championship. I grew up out in the country and many of the young people were accustomed to not wearing shoes, though they were required for school.

One football player I remember wanted to play in his bare feet. He said he could run faster that way because that is the way he had learned to run on the farm. He was on of the team’s star players and asked the coach if he could play without shoes and he was told no, that regulations required shoes.

One particular game was important and it was close. Going into the second half, we were down and needed to score. The player I mention took off his shoes, threw them at the coach and ran the ball in to score.

As we contemplate a new year filled with mysteries, what is it that is holding us back for being our best and for being all that God created us to be? Are we so secure in our comfort zone that we are unwilling to take a risk. Are we hoarding and holding back for next year when we are not guaranteed even the rest of this year?

Are we willing to follow the advice of the writer of Hebrews and “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles?” Are we willing to run through this year with our eyes fixed on Jesus?

The new year is a time for resolutions (most of which are broken by the end of January). Lose weight, run a marathon, save more, spend less… and the list goes on.

The problem with most New Year’s resolutions is that they involve what we are going to do rather than what we are not going to do. The Bible tells us that we must throw off before we can successfully put on and run the race of life.

Last year is history. The remainder of this year and beyond is a mystery. But right now is the present and the time we can do something to better equip us to move on for our own good and for the blessing of others.

Think about what is holding you back and what you need to throw off to run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

Then cast off in faith for a new adventure. This year is going to be a great ride.

THE FATHER AND THE SON:

AFTER A FEW OF THE USUAL SUNDAY EVENING HYMNS, THE CHURCH'S PASTOR SLOWLY STOOD UP, WALKED OVER TO THE PULPIT AND, BEFORE HE GAVE HIS SERMON FOR THE EVENING, HE BRIEFLY INTRODUCED A GUEST MINISTER WHO WAS IN THE SERVICE THAT EVENING.

IN THE INTRODUCTION, THE PASTOR TOLD THE CONGREGATION THAT THE GUEST MINISTER WAS ONE OF HIS DEAREST CHILDHOOD FRIENDS AND THAT HE WANTED HIM TO HAVE A FEW MOMENTS TO GREET THE CHURCH AND SHARE WHATEVER HE FELT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE SERVICE.

WITH THAT, AN ELDERLY MAN STEPPED UP TO THE PULPIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK. '”A FATHER, HIS SON, AND A FRIEND OF HIS SON WERE SAILING OFF THE PACIFIC COAST,” HE BEGAN, “WHEN A FAST APPROACHING STORM BLOCKED ANY ATTEMPT TO GET BACK TO THE SHORE. THE WAVES WERE SO HIGH, THAT EVEN THOUGH THE FATHER WAS AN EXPERIENCED SAILOR, HE COULD NOT KEEP THE BOAT UPRIGHT AND THE THREE WERE SWEPT INTO THE OCEAN AS THE BOAT CAPSIZED.”

THE OLD MAN HESITATED FOR A MOMENT, MAKING EYE CONTACT WITH TWO TEENAGERS WHO WERE, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SERVICE BEGAN, LOOKING SOMEWHAT INTERESTED IN HIS STORY.

THE AGED MINISTER CONTINUED WITH HIS STORY, “GRABBING A RESCUE LINE, THE FATHER HAD TO MAKE THE MOST EXCRUCIATING DECISION OF HIS LIFE: TO WHICH BOY WOULD HE THROW THE OTHER END OF THE LIFE LINE. HE ONLY HAD SECONDS TO MAKE THE DECISION. THE FATHER KNEW THAT HIS SON WAS A CHRISTIAN AND HE, ALSO, KNEW THAT HIS SON'S FRIEND WAS NOT.THE AGONY OF HIS DECISION COULD NOT BE MATCHED BY THE TORRENT OF WAVES. AS THE FATHER YELLED OUT, 'I LOVE YOU, SON!' HE THREW OUT THE LIFE LINE TO HIS SON'S FRIEND. BY THE TIME THE FATHER HAD PULLED THE FRIEND BACK TO THE CAPSIZED BOAT, HIS SON HAD DISAPPEARED BENEATH THE RAGING SWELLS INTO THE BLACK OF NIGHT. HIS BODY WAS NEVER RECOVERED.”

BY THIS TIME, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE SITTING UP STRAIGHT IN THE PEW, ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR THE NEXT WORDS TO COME OUT OF THE OLD MINISTER'S MOUTH. “THE FATHER,” HE CONTINUED, “KNEW HIS SON WOULD STEP INTO ETERNITY WITH JESUS AND HE COULD NOT BEAR THE THOUGHT OF HIS SON'S FRIEND STEPPING INTO AN ETERNITY WITHOUT JESUS THEREFORE, HE SACRIFICED HIS SON TO SAVE THE SON'S FRIEND.”

“HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE OF GOD THAT HE SHOULD DO THE SAME FOR US. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SACRIFICED HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON THAT WE COULD BE SAVED. I URGE YOU TO ACCEPT HIS OFFER TO RESCUE YOU AND TAKE A HOLD OF THE LIFE LINE HE IS THROWING OUT TO YOU IN THIS SERVICE.”

WITH THAT, THE OLD MAN TURNED AND SAT BACK DOWN IN HIS CHAIR AS SILENCE FILLED THE ROOM. WITHIN MINUTES AFTER THE SERVICE ENDED, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE AT THE OLD MAN'S SIDE.

“THAT WAS A NICE STORY,” POLITELY STATED ONE OF THEM,”BUT I DON'T THINK IT WAS VERY REALISTIC FOR A FATHER TO GIVE UP HIS ONLY SON'S LIFE IN HOPES THAT THE OTHER BOY WOULD BECOME A CHRISTIAN.”

“WELL, YOU'VE GOT A POINT THERE,” THE OLD MAN REPLIED, GLANCING DOWN AT HIS WORN BIBLE. A BIG SMILE BROADENED HIS NARROW FACE. HE ONCE AGAIN LOOKED UP AT THE BOYS AND SAID, “IT SURE ISN'T VERY REALISTIC, IS IT? BUT, I'M STANDING HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU THAT STORY GIVES ME A GLIMPSE OF WHAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE FOR GOD TO GIVE UP HIS SON FOR ME.

“YOU SEE, I WAS THAT FATHER AND YOUR PASTOR IS MY SON'S FRIEND

A police Chief, retiring after 40 years of service said, "Your legacy doesn't happen at the end of your career, it begins at the beginning of your career." Wisdom from one who made a difference serving his community. Remember, our legacy is the influence we have on each life we touch, every day. Our influence is what will be remembered, good or bad, long after we are gone. -- General Dick Abel

We can view the world as governed by unchallengeable causes or a world open to God’s promises. Ask God for faith that those promises will be realized.

Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable and receives the impossible. -- Corrie Ten Boom

Selected portions of Thoughts on Life can also be read at www.thoughtsaboutgod.com/blog.

The items appearing in this publication are the personal thoughts and based on true life experiences of the author, as well as various articles, quotes and humorous stories contributed by others. Your feedback is welcome and if you want to be taken off the mailing list a simple e-mail will do it. Feel free to pass this along to others and to contribute your ideas and thoughts. Address all items and comments to John.Grant@johngrant.net. © Thoughts on Life Copyright 2014