If you were watching the Olympics the other night you might have seen the sweet story about athlete Allyson Felix and her grandmother.
I loved their bond and how Allyson draws strength and encouragement from such a great lady.
I especially liked the part at the end when the sportscaster stated that Allyson’s grandmother worries while watching her race so when they’re on a time delay, family members let grandmother know how Allyson did before the race is aired.
Thanks to the spoiler alert, her grandmother can watch the race in peace.
There are numerous examples of good people in the Bible who had to deal with uncertainty.
Abraham didn’t know how he was going to be a father of nations.
The Israelites wondered how long it would take them to get to the Promise Land.
Elijah wasn’t certain how God would spare his life.
The Jewish nation wasn’t sure how God would redeem his people.
Lots of unknowns but God always comes through.
In the midst of trials, too often we focus on the confusion.
The confusion tells us that God needs our help so like Abraham, we go looking for the solution.
Like the wandering Israelites, we grumble and complain.
Like Elijah, we fear and hide from others.
Like the Jewish nation, who refused to see Christ as the Messiah, we become skeptical and angry.
Turmoil leaves us battered and bruised, but what if we focused more on the conclusion?
Because the ending is great.
It reminds us God is in control, every tear will be wiped away and there is more to the craziness of this world than our everyday dilemmas.
Life is chaotic but here’s a major spoiler alert, our God wins.
Look passed the confusion and set your mind on the conclusion.
Surround yourself with those who aren’t feeding the chaos.
Turn off the drama.
Hold tightly to God’s truth.
You are not alone.
You are not forgotten.
You will overcome.
Realize your purpose is to love God and love others.
And just like my favorite runner, remember that training never ends but you’re going to finish and you’re going to finish well.
Keep your eyes on the prize.
It’s worth so much more than a medal.
Paula Harrington is the mother of five children and resides in Calvert City.
She is compiler and editor of the books, Once Upon a Bible Class, A Common Bond and A Sunday Afternoon with the Preachers’ Wives.
Her work has appeared in Christian Woman magazine, the Christian Chronicle newspaper and numerous other sites and websites.
When she’s not teaching at one of Marshall County’s finest schools, she’s helping her family at the Calvert
Drive-in Theater (and by helping, she means eating the cheeseburgers).
She can be contacted at harringtonseven@yahoo.com