God’s Mysterious Ways

The Race of Faith

I learned some things from watching my grandson’s track meets. One is that you shouldn’t look back. It distracts you and slows you down. As you run the race of faith, don’t keep looking back with guilt and regrets. Let go of the faults and failures that plague you because they have already been forgiven and forgotten by our gracious God. Secondly, keep your eye on the finish line. In one race, a runner was second until he slowed down at the end, thinking he had crossed the finish line. He ended up fourth without a prize. On our journey of faith, we need to keep our heart and mind focused on God’s finish line, so we don’t quit the race early or get distracted by the deceptive prizes which this world offers. And Jesus will be there, running alongside with strength, and at the finish line with God’s priceless prize of eternal life.

Our Friend Is Jesus

We may be tempted to break with the call of our friend Jesus, as the Bible verse explains. But we are commanded to follow God’s directions. Because we are sinners in thought, word, and deed, reviewing the given commands is helpful. How many times do we lapse from our daily Bible readings and devotions? How many times do we forget who our real friends are? The church community should be the source of encouragement. However, do we contribute to it or lead people away from it? I can only speak for myself and think about how badly I have failed at different times — from my youth to my senior years. How wonderful it is to know that our Lord knows us and has a plan for us that we may never have envisioned.

Our Anchor

Anyone who has been around a boat knows that the anchor is a very important piece of equipment. Without an anchor, a boat, even though it is stopped, can be lost by floating away in any direction with very little current or a bit of wind. However, once the anchor is set, the boat will stay put and stable. Having an anchor for one’s soul is a beautiful promise. It gives us confidence and stability in uncertain situations. God’s gift of salvation anchors us to Jesus. We do not need to worry about being lost. Through all of life’s earthly storms, our hope remains firmly fixed with Him in heaven.

Soaring Seniors

We do not have any eagles in our neighborhood, but we do have hawks. I enjoy watching them soar. I have also noticed something: They seldom flap their wings. Hawks, like eagles, have learned that the secret to soaring is to let the air current take them higher. I believe there is a lesson here. Human nature tells us to work harder. As a result, we spend a lot of time flapping our wings. As disciples of Jesus, I believe we should allow God’s grace, rather than our effort, to carry us to greater heights. That is good news for those of us in our golden years. Even if we need to catch our breath after bending over to tie our shoes, we can still soar. We might even become mentors to those younger folks who are stumbling through life.

God’s Mysterious Ways

Born into a military family, I planned to attend the Air Force Academy and then to serve my country. In high school, I did well. However, I injured my knee. I then realized that I would not pass the Academy’s physical exam. I enrolled in a college with a military officers training program. While there, I had knee surgery. After graduating, I volunteered for the Army but failed my physical. Apparently, God had a different plan for me. My father suggested I consider jobs with computers. An electronics company that hired me sold products to the federal government. I was finally serving my country. I later retired from a fulfilling career. When we face obstacles, the words of Jesus can inspire us to be hopeful. As the Lord says in Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you.”