Focus Verse: Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how He did it. Because He never lost sight of where He was headed – that exhilarating finish in and with God – He could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now He’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. Hebrews 12:2 (MSG)
Recently, I went on a tubing trip with some friends on the Potomac River. As with any river, the depth of the river varied depending on where I was. Some places where more shallow than others. Because I was on an inner tube, there would be times that I didn’t realize I had come to a spot where the water was shallow and I was just resting on a rock underneath me. After this happened a few times, I thought to myself, “there has to be a way to determine if I am actually moving. If I continue down this path, it will take much longer than the estimated 2 hours to get to my final destination and the bus will leave me.” Then out of nowhere, I thought, “look up for the sun.” The position of the sun would tell me if I was moving or sitting still. Whenever I felt like I wasn’t moving, I would just look up at the sun to see if it was moving closer to me, if it was, I was moving and if it wasn’t, well I needed to figure out how to get off the rock I didn’t realize I was resting on.
Our Christian walk is the same way. We should always be looking towards the Son for direction and guidance. He will tell us whether we are moving closer to Him or just sitting still. Interestingly enough, just like when I was on the Potomac River, whenever I was sitting still, the sun was moving farther away from me. Walking with Christ, we are either moving closer towards Him or further away from Him, there is no in between.
Ask yourself today, “Am I moving closer to Christ or further away from Him?
Prayer: Thank You for Your continual guidance Father. There have been times in my walk with You that I wasn’t walking at all, just sitting still, not realizing that because of that, I was moving further away from You, please forgive me. It is my desire to always be walking in communion with You. Speak to my heart today and reveal to me my position in relation to Your Son. It is in Him name that I pray, Amen!
Lisa says
I love this.
I have also learned during times that I was stuck on a rock, that even when stuck on a rock, He IS the Rock.
That sometimes He had to put me on that rock because though I thought I was moving toward Him I was doing it in deed and not in love so I was actually running in place.
Tiffani says
That’s a WORD! We have to make certain we are doing things with a heart for God and not just going through the motions.
Carl says
Yes!!!!!
Tiffani says
Glad it blessed you!
Mihaela Echols says
Awesome! Short sweet and to the point!
Steven Goodwin says
Glad you were able to learn from the experience, thanks for sharing.
Tara says
That’s a great question that we should be asking ourselves every day. We have to be honest with ourselves and the answer isn’t always an easy one.
Jolleen Ruiz says
This is a great reminder! I think we all have times where we slowly move away from God and we just don’t even realize it. It’s something we really need to be careful with. Thank you for this.
Jed says
Excellent illustration. I’ll be borrowing this one in the future. I’ll spend the day at my older girls soccer games, which means I’ll be moving toward the sun and the Son 🙂 But seriously, thank you for the reminder to keep moving toward Christ daily. It is one I continually need to hear.
ELIZABETH MARSHALL says
This reminds me of spending the day out in the beautiful creation that God made with my kids. There were times when my daughter wanted to stop or to be carried and I know there are times I feel that way in my walk with Christ. Thanks for the reminder.
Tami Qualls says
Honestly, I have moved farther away from God these past few years. I am working on changing that. He is so wonderful and I am so blessed to have a God that is full of grace and love.
Tiffani says
The most amazing thing is that God will meet you right where you are. He cares way more about your relationship with Him than you ever could. Keep pushing sis!
Kristi says
Great question to ask! If we are constantly asking ourselves this question and our hearts are for God, we will draw nearer to Him day by day.
Amaris Beecher says
Love this. One of the things that my husband and I often ask ourselves, and those we mentor, is are we proactively trying to stir our affections for Christ? Just like in a marriage, you have to be proactive to keep the romance alive, same holds true in your relationship with Jesus. Some things that stir my affections and draw me near, are doing in depth Bible studies, listening to sermon podcasts, and I love Christian Rap. Haha!
Thanks for sharing!