Don't Give Up--KEEP ON SWIMMING

Hope is an amazing power: with it, men conquer great feats and overcome insurmountable obstacles...without it; they give in to a slow, agonizing, defeat.


I recently re-read a story about Florence May Chadwick, the first woman who attempted to swim the 26 mile stretch between Catalina Island and the California coastline. Fifteen hours after Florence began her chartered swim, a heavy fog set in, making it impossible to see the shoreline. She told her mother, who followed her in a boat to ensure her safety, that she didn’t think she could make it. She continued to swim for another hour before asking to be pulled out. Sitting in the boat, Florence discovered she was only one mile from her destination.

Friends, today, I want to encourage you to see your "shoreline"...to envision your end destination. Don't ever give up. Remember Who it is that called you. Hold fast to what He promised. Never forget Who you serve.

Romans 8:28-32 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" (NIV)

YOU are NOT alone. No matter how tired you are...no matter how thick "THE FOG" of your life sets in, attempting to destroy your hope...keep the Lord before you…remember His promises... envision your end destination…press on through your chartered course of life and reach your destined finish line!

DON'T GIVE UP! KEEP ON SWIMMING! God IS FOR YOU! And, IF GOD IS FOR YOU...who can stand against you?

Check out these amazing promises:
Isaiah 49:23, "...those who hope in me will not be disappointed." (NIV)
Isaiah 40:31, "those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (NIV)
Isaiah 54:4, "Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated." (NIV)

Have a great weekend! And thanks for being my friend.