The Fastest Mile

Have you ever wondered if there are limits to what you can do? 

I was thinking about that this morning as I was contemplating what it would look like to go deeper with God; and if there are limits to that possibility.

As I pondered that thought, God brought to my memory the story about the fastest mile.

During World War II, racing was curtailed in combatant countries.  However, after the war, two rivals, John Landy of Australia and Roger Bannister from Britain vied to be the first person to break what was considered to be the fabled four-minute mile barrier.

On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister broke the barrier and John Landy followed suit 46 days later.

It’s amazing to consider the determination of these two men to do something that had never before been done; something no one thought was possible.

I wonder if John Landy, although thrilled with his ability to break the four-minute mile, was disappointed in himself for not digging deep enough to go for it 46 days earlier.  It was AFTER Roger Bannister broke the record that John Landy realized his own potential.

I drove through the mountains for a long time this morning weighing all of this out in my own mind.  After all, as we have learned from both Landy and Bannister, the will to exceed possibility begins in the mind. 

In what was known as the “Race of the Century,” Landy ran his second sub-4 minute mile at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in British Columbia.  Landy raced against Bannister. The race was heard over the radio by 100 million people and seen on television by millions more.  On the final turn of the last lap, Landy looked over his left shoulder as Bannister passed him on the right to beat him. 

Even so, two years later at the 1956 Australian National Championships, during the Olympic Trials, Landy surprised everyone when he doubled back to check on a fellow runner whom he had clipped in the heel causing him to fall early in the third lap of the race.  The runner got back up to finish the race and somehow Landy was able to make up the deficit to win the race.

Although most of us may not break records and make history; we can certainly push through the boundaries of our own mind.

Can we trust God and break through the ceilings of what we have believed to be possible? Are we willing to risk safety to visit places of freedom that lie just beyond the borders of comfort?

I guess we could wait for someone else to go first; but our personal journey’s are not contingent upon nor competing with another’s journey. 

If you sense that God is calling you to step into something that no one, including yourself,  may have ever thought was possible-- go for it!

And  don’t break stride by looking over your shoulder.

I think John Landy would agree.

Stay the Course...

Sheila

Comes the Dawn

I awaken each morning to witness the first gleam of dawn break over the beautiful Alaskan mountains. 

With the first gleam of dawn also rises hopes and dreams spoken in the dark of night from places unable to be acknowledged in the full light of day.

Just as our view of the breaking of dawn varies depending on our geography, we are all also at different junctures in this journey called life.  Whether sitting in the dark of night feeling forgotten and alone, basking in the sunshine displayed in the fullness of the day, or somewhere in the middle, we are all sojourners.

God’s Word breathes encouragement for those dark moments, “Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man…a righteous man will be remembered forever.” (Psalm 112:4&6)

If you have surrendered your life to and for Jesus, you have been made righteous.  And here’s a picture of how our story unfolds: “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” (Mt.13:43)

Many of us have experienced extended seasons of darkness; sometimes lasting days, months or even years.  Yet, even in the deepest darkness of night, God longs to be sought just as we long to be sought after.  He relentlessly pursues us, even when our heart’s and minds are far from Him.

As I am slowly breaking through my own lengthy journey through the Valley of Despair, my eyes are beginning to see the beauty God has planted within me while in the darkness.  Months have turned into years as I have persistently sought after Him. 

In the darkness I have learned to embrace that which is in front of me; to live in the beauty of each moment.  I have learned that there is joy in darkness.  I have learned that God is not just an important part of my life--He is my life.

I have wept, prayed, screamed, said nothing, and shaken my fists at my Father.  I have regretfully spoken words in anger, spewed from hurt places in my heart.  Always, as I have reached the end of myself, He has been at my side, never letting me go.  I have been a rebellious mess; He has been as faithful as the first gleam of dawn.

Just as the pain of night often felt like more than I could bear; I am beginning to catch glimpses of sunlight that bring my heart deeper joy than I have ever known.

Today, my prayer is encouragement to those sitting in the Valley of Despair. 

As the darkness attempts to swallow you in its icy blanket, when you feel you have nothing more to live for, when you wonder if you will survive another moment; in your darkest hour-- cast your gaze upward. 

At the perfect time, filled with freedom and joy--comes the dawn.

Stay the Course...

Sheila

Hold on Tight to Your Crown

Revelation 3:11 (NIV) “I am coming soon.  Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”

We read fairy tales and watch movies that tell of kings and queens wearing royal crowns.  A crown is typically referred to when speaking of royalty, so why does the Apostle John, in speaking to each one of us, warn us to not let anyone take our crown?  Could it be truth and not fairy tale that places a spiritual crown upon our royal heads?

We are instructed in God’s Word to guard our hearts, to keep ourselves from idols, to keep a tight rein on our tongues, to give to the needy, look after orphans and widows…and to guard our crowns?  What must one do to receive a crown, and why is it so important to guard it?

A crown was referred to in the Old Testament as an actual headdress worn by royalty or other persons of high merit or honor.  David’s golden crown was a prize of battle (II Sam. 12:30) and was worn as a sign of authority on his throne or when leading his forces in combat.  “Crown” is also used figuratively in the Old Testament when referring to gray hair as a crown of splendor (Prov. 16:31), a virtuous wife being her husband’s crown (Prov. 12:4), and God’s crown of blessing on mankind (Ps. 8:5).

In the New Testament, Paul refers to a crown several times.   Just as we honor our Olympians with crowns, or wreaths, Roman athletic games were a very big deal, with a laurel wreath given to each winner.   Any athlete entering into the games was required to go into ten months of strict training. If an athlete neglected training, he or she was eliminated from the races.  The wreath, symbolizing triumph and honor, was a very coveted prize in ancient Rome.   Paul reminds us, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” (I Cor. 9:24&25)

The incorruptible crown Paul speaks of is one obtained from a life of faithful obedience and self discipline as we train ourselves to study God’s Word, walk in step with the Spirit and pray; running toward our heavenly reward. 

At the end of his life, in his last letter of final instructions and encouragement, Paul writes, “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (II Tim. 4:8)

It is through  trials and sufferings that we are prepared for the crown of life God has in store for us, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (Jas. 1:12)

The incorruptible crown, the crown of righteousness and the crown of life are God’s promise to all who live for Him and love Him with an undying love. 

Our King bore upon His head a crown of thorns so that we might be given the crown of life.  Although we may bear the cross for awhile in this present life; one day we will wear the crown to eternity. 

And our King graciously reminds us, “I am coming soon.  Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” (Rev. 3:11)


Stay the Course...


Sheila

Today’s Prayer:  “Lord, there are no words to thank You for the sacrifice You were willing to make when You suffered and died, wearing a crown of thorns upon Your head, for me.  It is because of Your obedience and love that I am able to love You and live my life for You.  I have been saved by Your grace, not of my own merit.  I will not sit in the Grandstands watching the races; I will be disciplined and focused as I choose to live each day as an athlete in strict training, running my race in such a way as to  bring You glory, not losing sight of the prize.   Please help me to see that trials are necessary as they develop within me perseverance, so that I will be strong when I cross the finish line to receive the Crown of Life.  Lord, You are all I am living for.  I will finish the race and keep the faith.  I love You with an undying love.  In Jesus name, amen.”

Spirit Mountain

To most, the mountain is known as Lazy Mountain; but I call it Spirit Mountain.

As the months slip by, somewhere between the base and the summit of the mountain, I continue to seek answers to deep questions lurking beneath the simple exterior of my being. 

The faces of others who frequent Spirit Mountain have become as familiar to me as the trail itself as we continue to pass one another; each person seeking answers to his or her own hidden questions.

Victory or defeat, joy or gloom, a gift or a chore--each person’s spirit or lack thereof  reflected in eyes, hope or despair dripping down red, sweaty faces.

No respecter of persons, Spirit Mountain demands a deep look into the true fabric of one’s spirit.  Bend upon ruthless bend lends opportunity to accept defeat or to dig deep into the recesses of the spirit and keep moving forward and upward.

Encouraging each other is helpful; but in the end it is only the grit of each individual hiker which will determine the outcome of his or her Spirit Mountain experience.

Far beyond the benefit of physical strength and endurance, the mountain calls me to the internal challenges evident only to myself and to my Maker.  Many times I am humbled as the truth of who I really am leaks out from places that cannot be hidden in the laborious tension of the moment.

There is no room for judgment on the trail.  Locked behind the eyes of each fellow hiker are sins and regrets that are accountable to only One.  Heads nod in mutual respect of one another as we carry on our individual paths.

Bonds are deep as our spirits both salute and celebrate those who answer to the call of the mountain. 

Sometimes I wonder if others return to the mountain for the same reasons that I do.  I cannot be certain, but I sense that I am not alone in my search for more.

In my own spirit, I secretly pray that my body will remain loyal to my desire to continue the quest for answers not yet found.

One day, when my body is no longer able to make the climb, I pray that joy and peace will replace fear and inhibition.  And always, I will continue to cheer for those whose  spirits, much like my own,  are set free, somewhere along the trail on Spirit Mountain.

Stay the Course...

Sheila

Where You Go I Will Go

Last night  I followed my husband home on Alaska Highway 1 from Anchorage to Wasilla.  As I followed him, I thought about my Christmas gift to him almost 28 years earlier, our first year of marriage: an Atlas.  On the cover, written in cursive by a young, naive hand, I had quoted a scripture from Ruth, “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay.  Your people will be my people and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16)

Turns out that atlas became so worn from yellow highlighters, and from pages torn and taped back together again over the years that sadly, a few years ago, I replaced the atlas with a new one.

Some road trips are met with anticipation; others are met with obligation. 

Not too many months ago I followed my husband on the road less traveled from a small town in Michigan up the Alaska Highway on another new adventure.   If I am to be honest, I must admit that I was less than excited for this particular adventure.  In the end I had to choose to trust my husband, knowing he had my best in mind, as my heart broke saying goodbye to those I loved.

Following my husband day after day on the endless, bumpy road, I prayed often.  I prayed for God to change my heart.  I asked Him to help me to both trust and love my husband in ways I had not yet experienced.  At times I was angry, but mostly I was weary and sad.  I thought about people who have lived in the same place for their entire lives and fantasized about what that sort of life must feel like.  I wondered if I had the energy required to start over one more time.  Mostly, I thought about my three daughters and how the move would impact each one of them in their various seasons of life. 

I wrestled with the cry of my heart to live fully for God regardless the cost, juxtaposed with the reality of the selfishness of my heart screaming for a safe and secure life with little change. 

All of this I pondered last night as I followed my husband home.  I was able to think deeply and clearly as I drove without much thought given to the road,  knowing that my husband was in front of me leading the way. 

As I acknowledged my blind faith in following my husband, God revealed to me that this was the picture of how I was to trust Him with my every step.

He is always with us.  He leads the way into our futures, protects our backs from the past, and watches our every step, loving and caring for us in the here and now. 

Forever faithful; there is no circumstance or situation too big for Him to handle.  He only asks that we follow Him, trusting Him with every step of obedience.

I scurried around my house this morning to locate the newer Atlas I had given to my husband to replace the tattered old one.  On the cover, with the skilled hands of an adventurous woman; deeply loved, clothed in grace, and filled with joy, I began to write, "Where you go, I will go…”


Stay the Course...

Sheila

She Did What She Could

Sometimes we are placed in situations that allow us an opportunity to respond to the Voice within us in a way that may be regarded as odd in the eyes of our peers and onlookers alike.

Such moments are likely to soon be forgotten, except in our own hearts.

Mary has such a moment when we catch up with her in the book of Mark, as she is pouring an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume on Jesus’ head.

Imagine the scene as Jesus was in Bethany, “reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper.” (Mk. 14:3)

Mary enters the room, breaks open an alabaster jar of perfume, and without permission, pours it on the head of Jesus.  It is apparent that Mary was driven by a sense of urgency and was not looking for permission to do what she knew she needed to do.

Reflecting their humanity, some of those present began to rebuke her saying, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” (Mk. 14:4)

Jesus instantly defends Mary.  Jesus was able to see something that no one else could see.  Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.” Jesus goes on to say, “She did what she could.” (Mk.14:8NIV) The Message translation says, “She did what she could when she could.”

How many times do we find ourselves in a situation where the Holy Spirit nudges us to action?  Oftentimes the conviction is one that might make little to no sense to those around us; even to our close friends. 

A window of opportunity can be depicted in the practical day to day events of one’s life that feel anything but spiritual.  Driving a friend to chemo.  Shoveling our neighbor’s driveway.  Stopping to help when witnessing an auto accident.  Praying with a person going through a difficult time.  Real simple stuff requiring only our time and our compassion.

I have spent many years taking in the daunting needs of the world around me, witnessing  inner city needs as well as the dire needs of third world countries.  Not certain what my role was in the solution to solve the deep needs of a hurting nation; I have sat on my hands doing nothing.

However, over the last several years God has allowed me to see the needs of those within my reach.  Instead of thinking that God needs me to solve the world’s problems; He has shown me that I need only do what I can do as His Spirit prompts me to do so.

Mary knew in her heart what she needed to do; there was a sense of urgency.  Mary knew that the opportunity to respond would only present itself one time.  She had to do what she could when she could.

We may not be presented with a lot of lightening bolt opportunities requiring an obvious call to action; the opportunities may seem as small as a whisper.  Either way, I pray for each one of us planted around the world like tiny dots on a map, that we will do what we can while we can.

Stay the Course...

Sheila

PASS

I took a test this morning which held two possible outcomes: pass or fail.

The outcome would depend upon my ability to comprehend a series of questions and to, hopefully, answer the questions correctly. 

As with any pass or fail test, there is no opportunity to practice one’s negotiating skills in hopes of changing the outcome; personality, charm and giftedness in the area of debate is not factored into the final decision.

I found the black and white option of pass or fail a bit harsh and unbending; but as you might have guessed, the computerized testing center did not ask my beliefs or thoughts regarding the matter.

This situation got me thinking about a passage in the Gospel of Matthew from the Sermon on the Mount  regarding the narrow and wide gate. (Mt. 7:13&14).  Jesus says, “Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

In this particular scripture, the metaphor of a gate being wide or narrow refers to the easiness or comfort to go one way versus the discipline and significant demands required to go the other way.   The narrow gate and the confined path of the disciples are quite the opposite of the broad path and wide gate chosen by the masses. 

The way taught by Jesus, upon which we are invited to travel, although more rigorous, and likely to be filled with suffering, sacrifice and persecution; is also a way of grace.  It is only by the grace of God that we can find the narrow gate, which is the way of life.

We are not given a third option, there remain only two options.  Neither do we get to set the rules; they remain unchanged in black and white, for our own good.

If we choose to enter through the narrow gate, there is an echo of joy and fulfillment in finding this way of life.  David reminds us in Psalm 34:19, “A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” Again, we see that the call to righteousness occurs in the context of the reality of grace.

Thankfully, everything we need to know regarding life and death can be found in God’s Word.  As we study His Word, we are changed.  Passing or failing is no longer viewed through man’s lens, instead our hearts are seen through God’s lens of grace and mercy. When we choose to walk daily in obedience to God,  submitting our will to the better choice of God’s will, we need not worry-- we have found the narrow gate which leads to life.

Stay the Course...

Sheila

Today’s Prayer: “Father, we thank You for Your goodness.  You are our strength, oh Lord.  In our daily pursuit of holiness and righteousness, may we be reminded that holiness and righteousness are not a feeling but rather the end product of obedience.  Thank You for Your grace in leading us to the narrow gate; we ask for strength to stay the course, especially during difficult stretches when strong winds strive to push us off course.  The gift of Life has been given to us by no merit of our own.  Help Your church, Father, as we stand united in our desire to advance Your Kingdom; may we not allow the schemes of the devil to divide us in the days to come.  Hold us tightly, Father. We love You.  In Jesus name, amen."