Beyond My Reach

Have you ever made an attempt at something you wanted so badly to succeed that you found yourself grasping at straws? The feeling of not wanting to start over, or not being able to face failure can be overwhelming. To prevent these impostors overtaking our hearts we reach for anything to comfort our minds and calm our spirits. This is ironic in that "grasping at straws," means trying to find some way to succeed when nothing you try is likely to work.

The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippian Church stated, "Brethren I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to the things which are before I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13-14). 

We reach for things that are temporal and satisfying to our natural affections. These things tend to be like moving targets. Today it is my finances, maybe tomorrow it will be my health. I am not attempting to down play the need for either but if we could just gain a focus on the things that will never move. The calling of God is without repentance. But as the people of God we can not walk into our calling without repentance. Reaching for that unmovable peace that can only be provided by relationship with God is a noble effort that will be both successful and worth all of the effort.

Know the Word

As the weather changes and the warm months return, outside noise levels increase. Earlier this week I came to a stop at a traffic light. I heard the sound of secular music coming from a car sitting in traffic with me. I noticed the music was so loud that it made it difficult for me to hear my own music playing inside my vehicle. Although I had my windows closed tightly, those sounds still bled through. I would have drifted into listening to the words of the song being played outside if I had not concentrated on the words of the songs playing through my own speakers.

I began to reflect on the situation. I notice that spiritually we are challenged by the very same things. The sounds of the world are all around us. Those sounds are sometimes so loud that they threaten to drown out the sounds of God's Word speaking to our hearts.  If we allow the sounds of the world to infiltrate our environment and we begin to listen, we will find that we no longer have the ability to defend against the tricks and stumbling blocks of the enemy. Sometimes our finances are stretched to a point of being insufficient. We may not always feel our best. We may even find that we have been stricken with sickness or disease. Our loved ones may continue to live apart from God. We must remember that we are considered the brothers and sisters of Christ (Mark 3:35). We are called the chosen (John 15:16). We have access to the promises of God through Christ Jesus our Lord (Gal. 3:16). And most of all, God is sovereign (1Cor. 8:4). He is in control of every situation that seems in or out of control to us (Matt. 28:18).

His Word says, to repent and be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). These are the words that define who we are and how we are to present ourselves to a dying world. To be born again and no longer feeding the desires of our flesh. Being crucified with Christ, makes us aware of an old life and the acceptance of new life in Christ Jesus.  The Word of God in our hearts makes us aware of the dangers in the world and power to be protected from them. We must meditate (purposely think) on His Word day and night. When the sounds of the world began to ring louder than the Word that proceeds from our hearts we can do a few things to help us endure. We can increase the volume (Isaiah 58:1). We can remind ourselves that we know the Word even if we can't hear the music (Ps. 119:11).  And we can trust that the Word we have is able to keep us above and beyond all life's situations (Ephesians 3:20). Trust in the Lord with all of your heart. Lean not to your own understanding and He will direct your paths (Prov. 3:5-6).

Complete the Course

It was a cold winter morning. We were gathered outside in the early morning air. We waited anxiously for the formation to be called to attention; standing there shivering in thin sweat pants and a light jacket. While we were waiting the question traveled through the crowd, "How far are we running this morning?" One person would say, "I heard two miles." Another would chime in, "I heard five." No one really knew. All we could be assured of is that once we started we were expected to finish. It did not matter how far the finish line was from the starting point. A soldier is expected to complete the course regardless of the terrain or distance. Soon the company is called to attention. The instruction is given to turn, "right, face." And the run begins. With great anticipation we watch the turns and route choices to figure out how far we are going and as a result how long we will have to endure the climate before we return to the warmth of a shower and clothing more suitable for the temperature. Down the street towards the front of the post we go. If we turn left the only destination is off post into the streets of Mannheim to return 30 to 45 minutes later. If we turn right it is only a short time compared to the alternative. Fifteen minutes at the most. We follow the direction of the Sergeant in charge listening to the cadence and singing along to distract us from the conditions in under which we are subjected. We carry on only to pursue the finish at this point because there was no looking back.

Much of our Christian journey is marred by the questions, Where? When? How long? Regardless of the place, season or length of time we are encouraged to complete the course (Acts 20:24). Today we face a trial that has never been seen before, but we do know there is a finish line. The soldier is encouraged to look forward to an objective (Phil. 3:13). When that is done he is then expected to use his energy and apply his effort towards meeting that objective thereby bringing his course to completion (1Cor. 9:26-27). Believers have one goal. That goal is to get to the place in God that has been established in Christ Jesus, Heaven. We strive to be in His presence; having peace with God our Father which is obtained through Jesus' shed blood. This we know can only be done through faith. That is mark the Apostle Paul set before himself. That is the goal he placed before those who ran as he encouraged them to turn towards Christ and pursue the finish line of Heaven. The cadence of the Preached Word and the melodic sounds of the promises of God are enough to distract us from the conditions under which we exercise our faith. If we have repented of our sins and applied our hearts to faith, keep running. The end is nearer than it has ever been (Rom. 13:11). He is able to give the strength and endurance to complete the course He predestines for us all.