One thing I have learned living and running on the beach is that it is constantly changing. I've seen it flat with smooth sand, rocky, icy, shaped into ripples and sometimes formed into small hills by the waves. Recently, the beach I run here in Shaktoolik has been full of logs which makes running difficult, especially when the logs seem to accumulate right on the nice running sand.
I've tried to go way around where it's clear of logs but the sand is almost impossible to run, so I simply run the beach's newest obstacle course! As I run over the logs I think about how often life presents obstacles that sometimes seem never-ending. I have a time or two told God that I've already completed one particular life obstacle. I try to negotiate with him and explain that I shouldn't have to complete that same obstacle again as if there is some check off of life's challenges.
There are several places in Scripture where we can read about challenges, test, trials and sufferings. In the very beginning of James' letter he writes, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whoever you face trials of many kids, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)
I've often thought of perseverance and endurance as one in the same, as something sustained over a long period of time. I think about endurance sports such as running, biking or swimming, or here in Alaska, dog sled racing, when I hear the word perseverance. Even in life, I have a tendency to connect perseverance and endurance with long straight stretches of time. Yet there is another aspect to perseverance and endurance. It isn't simply straight forward movement but also includes dynamic movement, side to side, over, and around. In running, I don't always love obstacles. They often seem like something that gets in the way of the main goal which is to complete a course as quickly as possible.
Recently, I learned an important lesson about approaching obstacles from the kids Sunday school class I teach. I've been incorporating obstacle courses into our Sunday school program. I marvel as I watch them run with pure joy through those obstacles, seeing how many laps they can get in a given period of time.
As a running coach, I think about how obstacles would help them develop balance, agility and coordination. Most importantly, as a pastor I know these obstacles are a reminder for life, that life will and most likely already has given them obstacles. Scripture tell us there will be obstacles. Jesus described obstacles to his disciples as he was preparing them for his death, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”' (John 16:33)
The word heart (θαρσεῖτε) translates in Greek to "courage." Jesus is telling his disciples to take courage, have courage. There was no doubt they would have troubles ahead and there is no doubt we will.
The troubles Jesus was describing to his disciples were those of how they would be treated for their faith in Him. He was heading to the cross to complete the work God had called him to, taking sin to the cross, bearing our sin so that by faith Jesus, we can one day look forward to eternal salvation. Jesus was telling his disciples to look past the obstacle to what lay ahead. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
(John 14:1-4) The way ahead was and is through Jesus.
I think there was a reason Jesus said to have faith like children. My Sunday school class was demonstrating it as they were tackling these obstacles with joy! If we take Jesus words and believe He HAS overcome the world, and gone before us, we could approach obstacles with a lot more joy, a lot more courage, looking past our obstacles to what lies on the other side, growing as we move through the challenge.
When Jesus ascended into heaven, he didn't just leave us alone in the world. He left us with help, like a hand that reaches across the obstacle to help us find our way. He left us the ultimate encourager, with a voice if you listen is louder than any other. Jesus told his disciples of the Holy Spirit, "'But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. ' (John 14:26-27) While our initial response when we face on of life's obstacles might be to wonder how we can get over it or maybe just focus on the challenge, Jesus reminds us, we can have peace because we are not alone. We can confidently go up and over in anticipation of growing along the way.
I recently read another obstacle story of an older child, high school runner, Ashley Jones, who faced two giant life obstacles in a row. Tragically, she lost her father to a heart attack and then months later lost her arm in an ATV accident. Throughout their tragedy their family constantly turned to God. Walking toward help just after her accident, Ashley prayed, "God, you have to do something or I won’t get down this mountain. God, I need you. I need you to stop the bleeding." (RW Magazine) In the article, Ashley describes the presence of God, "As a powerful force, like the wind; as a sensation that someone you love is near." (RW Magazine) Through suffering and pain, Ashley and her family turned to God. He didn't take away the obstacle but gave them the strength through the Holy Spirit to guide them through tragedy. Even though Ashley lost both a personal a physical limb in her life, God has seen her though it. In her physical comeback, she found running and has excelled to become a top national cross coutnry runner. Emotionally, she see has seen God's redemption I her own life through tragedy and proclaim God's goodness to others.
Ashley Jones' story
We can't go around:
There are a few temptations when it comes to life's obstacles. Sometimes we want to go around. James says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." (James 1:5) So often I don't ask for wisdom. I don't ask God or even my wise and godly friends. It's tempting to go around obstacles. I watched a few of the kids go around, maybe wanting to pass someone or not feeling sure of their abilities. There are many reasons to want to avoid an obstacle. With life's obstacles avoiding can look like hiding our troubles in addictions such as pornography, alcoholism, drugs, sex, gambling or shopping. One may say, they don't do those things. Avoiding can also look like not showing up for life, avoiding a conversation because we don't know what to say, or unwillingness to forgive. In the case of Ashley Jones, she could have just given up on sports because without an arm, everything is excruciatingly challenging. No matter what, the obstacle will still be there and in avoiding, we have missed the great opportunity God gives us to learn, grown and fulfill purposes He has created us for!
Creating More Obstacles:
Some of our avoiding may be sin or we may even be sinning aside from avoiding. Sin does one thing. It creates more obstacles. Both for ourselves, and often times for others. We take our eyes off of God and stop looking toward the other side. For some of us, we have never approached an obstacle with God. No matter where we are, sin in present. Sin carries a weight. It is like trying to run an obstacle course with a weighted vest that only gets heavier. God does not intend for us to live with weight. In fact, Jesus calls for people to follow Him saying, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give your rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentile and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) We don't have to carry the weight of sin. When our faith is in Jesus Christ and we confess our sin to him, he will cleans us from our sin. With the weight of sin lifted through faith in Jesus, we are guided over each an every obstacle.
While there is not doubt in life that we will face trials, test, obstacles, suffering and more, we do have a choice as to how we respond to each one. Would you think about it with me today? What is one obstacle or challenge you are facing today? Could you ask Jesus to help you as you approach this obstacle? Ask Him how to approach it, move through it, trust Him in it? Athletes use tools like imagining a racecourse and then how they might handle a difficult situation. We can do that same through something even more powerful, prayer. We can ask God to help us and practice on the smaller obstacles in life so that when we get to a larger one, our minds automatically turn to God.
As you ask Jesus for help, believe that He will, even if this is the very first time you have approached a obstacle with Him. Seek the other side and let your hand accept the hand that is being extended to you. If your life or maybe this season feels a bit like the beach with log after log, obstacle after obstacle, remember that God is faithful, and His ability to guide you through each hurdle is immeasurable.