II Corinthians 5:6-7 “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)”
Deuteronomy 5:33 “Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.”
Hebrews 13:5-6 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
This summer, much of the planet enjoyed the Olympic and Paralympic Games. As has been said, they were characterized by the “thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” While we enjoyed great competition in every venue, several stories about individual athletes rose above the rest.
One of the most compelling was the 100m dash finals in the Paralympics for blind athletes. Please see this stunning video:
These incredible athletes run with a guide, and are perfectly aligned in their pace-matching step-by-step sprint. The guide provides verbal cues, especially as the race reaches the finish line. And in the case of the winner, their precise coordination provides the ideally timed stretch that creates the slim margin of victory.
The Paralympic finals is certainly not the first time the athletes have run with their guides. Their countless hours of practice together has created a level of repetition that cements the bonds of faith-filled trust. The athlete’s reliance on the guide does not diminish the greatness of their accomplishment. In fact, it’s just the opposite. What makes this a captivating accomplishment is the pure athleticism of the runner and the incredible, trusting coordination with their guide. The results are spectacular.
We are directed to walk (and run) by faith and not by sight, following in all the ways of our LORD and knowing that he will never leave us nor forsake us.
We are to strive to be perfectly aligned in our pace-matching step-by-step sprint through life as He provides our constant cues. Our precise coordination in following our Guide can create the slim margin of victory in our race.
Yet, we cannot expect to realize coordination without countless hours of practice, creating a level of repetition that cements the bonds of faith-filled trust. Our complete reliance on our Heavenly Guide does not diminish our accomplishments. In fact, it is the just the opposite. Our ability to bring honor and glory to Him hinges on the extent of our trusting coordination, and the results can be spectacular.
PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO CEMENT THE BONDS OF FAITH-FILLED TRUST IN OUR HEAVENLY GUIDE. Our precise coordination with Him can produce magnificent results as we walk and run through life.
