In 1952, Florence Chadwick attempted something almost unimaginable: swimming the 22.8 miles from Catalina Island to the California mainland.
Florence definitely knew a thing or two about long swims. She had already become the first woman to swim the English Channel in both directions. But that day, off the California coast, the water was freezing. Also, people in the support boats had to drive sharks away, and a thick fog settled over the ocean.
For nearly 16 hours, Florence swam.
Finally, exhausted and discouraged, she told the people in the boat beside her that she couldn’t go any farther. Her mother encouraged her to keep going. The shore was certainly close.
But Florence couldn’t see the shore. She quit.
When they pulled her into the boat, Florence discovered she was less than half a mile from shore! Later she explained, “All I could see was the fog. I think if I could have seen the shore, I could have made it.”
Two months later, she tried again. This time, with clear skies, she kept her eyes on the shore — and made it.
I love that story because sometimes life feels a lot like swimming in the fog.
In The Fog
We get tired and discouraged. Maybe we lose someone we love. At the same time, our bodies start wearing out. (I’ve noticed they don’t seem to make 66-year-old bodies like they used to!) Perhaps we struggle with family or finances. Along with that are disappointment and temptation. Of course, we wonder how much farther we can go.
Paul says: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2)
In other words, Christian, keep your eyes on the shore!
Heaven isn’t wishful thinking. On the contrary, it’s our home. Jesus is there. And because we belong to Him, we will be there one day, too.
Thinking about Heaven doesn’t make us less useful on earth. Instead, it gives us strength to keep swimming while we’re here.
Whatever fog you’re in today, don’t quit swimming. Look beyond it. Jesus is waiting. And remember…
The shore is nearer than you think.
Keeping my eyes on the shore,
Posted in A Word from the Pastor