pBoat races. The strangest thing about them is that the rowers can’t see where they’re going. They’re facing backwards, towards their captain. The captain is the one that can see the course of the river, and directs them accordingly. They just have to trust and follow instructions, and actually, that’s what keeps them in sync with each other; they’re not worrying about what’s ahead, they’re following the direction of someone who’s in the proper place to see ahead.br /
*That*, in a weird sports-metaphor sort of way, is exactly how the Church should be. We’re kept on track, and in harmony with each other, by keeping our eyes fixed on the One who knows our course - Jesus. Hebrews 12:1-2 has a very similar sort of logic. It encourages us to go at life with our eyes on Jesus, who will give us proper directions and instructions, even when we can’t see when the next twist or turn is coming (let alone see what’s around that bend). Check out Ephesians 2:19-22, as well; it reminds us of how the Church can be together, one, and built around Jesus. Church, and life in general, doesn’t work when we’re solely focused on those around us, and how we match up. No matter how strong they seem, or how sorted their life looks, they’re still working from the same point of view as we are. ‘Running the race’, pressing onwards toward our heavenly goal, only works when we have the focus on the Captain who can see the true way./p
pem strongWhat Now? /strong/em br /
Look up the words to ‘Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing’, and sing it. (YouTube knows the words, and the tune…)/p