Hey folks. Quick thought before I hop on the plane.
Heb. 12:1 reminds us that we are to "run with endurance the race set before us." It's not simply any old race. It's a race set before us by God. The course is God's responsibility. Ours is to follow the course he has set.
Next Wednesday, Lord willing, I will attempt to climb the Riffelhorn. My guide will lead me up the steep slope. Climbers do not set their own course in the alps. They follow the course their mountain guide sets for them. The course might not be the one the climber would have chosen. Moreover, the course the guide chooses for you might not be the same course he chooses for another climber. Doesn't matter. He's the guide, you're the follower. So it's a waste of time to worry about the course you are to take.
So it is in life. It's not about what we want. It's about what God has planned for our lives. He sets the course. We follow. Our job is one of cooperating with his plan. We are to lean hard on him even when we can't see where we're going. We do this by "fixing our eyes on Jesus." We look away from distractions and focus our full attention on him.
Prov. 16:9 says, "A man's heart devises his way, but the Lord directs his steps." There's everything right about devising our way. Like you, I have a day planner. Each month of the year is jammed full of events -- trips I'm to take, speaking responsibilities, birthday celebrations, and on and on it goes. As I fill it out I'm thinking, "Lord, at any time you want to bring any change to any part of this, please do. I invite you to do that. Nothing here is in concrete. This is how I see me juggling the various responsibilities and opportunities I have in my life. But I'm not in charge. You are." So we plan with the utmost care, but it depends completely on God whether or not we will carry out our plans. I leave for Switzerland with this truth firmly embedded in my mind.
Can I mention one other takeaway from Heb. 12:1? Though my mountain guide alone is responsible for the route we will take, I am responsible to prepare for my climb. He will guide me, but he won't do the climbing for me. It doesn't matter if he's in great shape (which he is). It's my responsibility to be in the best possible physical condition for the climb. It's also my responsibility to strip off the things that would slow me down, be it fear, worry, self-doubt, or a negative attitude.
My guide has prearranged the route I am to take.
But the preparation for the climb is my responsibility alone.
Obviously, staying focused on my guide throughout the climb is essential. Likewise, as we follow the Savior, let nothing distract us or sidetrack us.
Thank you again for all of your prayers and support. As I leave for Europe, I dedicate this trip to God, my true Strength and Joy, from whom all blessings flow.
Adieu!
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| With Walter, my alpine guide. |