Reach for the Prize!

I will have to say that all of the 2012 Olympic swimming has pumped me up!  What an outstanding Olympics for Team USA.  I thoroughly enjoyed watching their great achievements, and hearing their stories of hard work and overcoming their obstacles.

I love to swim!  I may be a novice swimmer, but I enjoy it just the same.  It’s a great quiet time for me.  I actually listen to music, or pray while I’m swimming.  It allows me to think about trying to reach for the prize.

Recently, I was thinking about Michael Phelps‘ swim coach, Bob Bowman, and how he has understandably put Michael through some trials to train him for the many adversities that might come his way.  He was quite successful at doing this.  I was also thinking about  Hebrews Chapter 12.  Both of these things got me to thinking about a similarity between our Father in Heaven, and some great coaches. The similarity of how they discipline…or train us for adversities of life.

Discipline is not always pleasant, but if one trains hard, with their “coach”, then they have the potential to become stronger…bringing about great joy.   For Michael, he has become the most decorated Olympian in history of any sport.

In my case, I’m not training for Olympic history, but I’m training for an Everlasting life.  I am hopeful that my new found joy will lead me to a greater intimacy with my Father in Heaven, and that will help me reach for the prize.

My pastor had a message a couple of years ago from Proverbs stating that “a friend loveth at all times”.  Sometimes those friends have to love with discipline.

I know that others have tried to discipline me in a loving way, so that I may learn to make better decisions.  More importantly, I know that they want me to experience the love God intended for me to know instead living in self pity (despair)…due to my past abuse.  In knowing that, I will need to make sure that I have a good “assistant coach” (Earthly companions) that may be looking over my “workouts” to make sure I’m on the right pace.  I may also have some questions about what “workout” will come next, or be the best for me.  I may doubt their knowledge; but, those coaches, full of wisdom, will help guide me to reach the prize.

There will be times that I won’t want to listen to the “coaches”, especially when they are speaking truth.  They will try to help me be better prepared for the race that’s set before me.  They will tell me that there will be obstacles…even when I can’t see them coming.  They will help me learn how to react and/or avoid them.

They will also help me to muster up the skills, and encourage me, to get ready to battle for any adversities that might come my way.  I will need to wear good equipment (full armor of God), put my “game face” on (fix my eyes on Jesus), look at the game plan (His word), and really listen to my assistant coaches (Earthly companions) and Head coach (Christ).  Together, they will try to help me put on the full armor of God as stated in Ephesians.

Philippians 4:13 states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”!  I know that I can win this battle and reach for the prize of Christ.  It will take hard work from myself, and many; but, it can be done.

God can restore my hardened heart, and really strengthen me.  God has shown me grace, mercy, and love, and in knowing this, I can become one step closer to being truly healed.

In order to be truly healed, my workouts will need to consist hard work & dedication.  The desire to do better.  Coaches that have great wisdom to share, and may be able to guide me.  Their knowledge will better prepare me for the days that follow. I will have to allow them to do so, and not let my pride get in the way. I will also need strength and courage to love boldly-not just others, but myself.  This will allow me to forgive, and be better able to focus on the prize.

I will be honest.  It’s still hard for me to believe that I can be granted grace and mercy.  I constantly forget this idea, or block it from my memory. Thank goodness God does not forget, and He places others around me to remind me of His grace, and to lift me up when I feel down.

In essence, I am just a beginner swimmer.  I have not totally learned to submerge myself into His healing waters.  I must learn to dive off the starting blocks to get a great push forward.  It will help me to swim as fast as I can to reach for the prize–Christ who strengthens me.

I know that I might get disqualified along the way; but, the good news is that I can start His race over.  God is very patient with me, and never gives up-even when I think He has.

Trying to swim hard to reach for the prize! †