Category: Bible Study

Eyes on the Prize

Published on by Kim2 Comments

One morning this summer we thoroughly enjoyed heading out to the country and shooting clays. It is one of my hobbies, and this particular morning was a real winner. The sun was shining. There was a nice breeze. Clays were shattering. It was beautiful!

As I have been learning and improving, some expert advice was given that was helpful in the process: Keep your eye on the clay. Get your stance correct and solid. If you are in the right position, your body will naturally follow your eye.

It is true. When I was focused where I should be, I was successful. The shots I missed were most often because I wasn’t paying attention or got distracted by a bug or didn’t move past a comment from the peanut gallery.

As we left the field after shooting that morning, I thought about how the principle works for more than just shotguns.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Our lives tend to follow our focus. When our eyes are on Christ, we can follow Him much more easily. Our lives will naturally follow our attention. (Speaking for myself, I NEED that aid.) We will not be drawn off the racetrack by distractions. Sin will have a harder time trapping us. We will not be confused about where we are heading. We will be motivated by the glory we view ahead. We will see our Savior and know the path to joy.

Committed Love

Published on by Kim

 

But Ruth said:
“Entreat me not to leave you,
Or to turn back from following after you;
For wherever you go, I will go;
And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;
Your people shall be my people,
And your God, my God.
Where you die, I will die,
And there will I be buried.
The Lord do so to me, and more also,
If anything but death parts you and me.”

These words are a beautiful expression of the committed love Ruth showed Naomi, a reflective flicker of the incredible covenantal love of God for His people.

In our premarital counseling, our pastor reminded us that sometimes marriage will require love that will stay in the car and ride even into the ditch. You can see the danger ahead and calmly share your concern, but sometimes the decision is still to continue. You then buckle up and ride out the crash (and pay the repair bill and allow the bruises to heal) together. Note: this is not referring to life-or-death or sin situations.

Yes, commitment is that committed. Committed love goes all the way to the end. The idea is beautiful and we love being loved that way, but how often are we committed?

How often will we go out to eat IF we like the restaurant? If it’s not a menu we like, it doesn’t matter with whom we are eating (never mind Proverbs 15:17).

How much have we been willing to be friends AS LONG as we share interests and think alike? It’s more efficient and comfortable. No need to stretch (Proverbs 27:17).

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, I’ll love AS LONG as they love me? Fair is fair, and I have my rights.

I have fallen in all these traps. That’s not love; it’s an even exchange of goods.

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you.” — John 15:12-14

We often think of the Ruth passage related to weddings. I find it interesting that neither of these Scriptures are referring to marriage. Ruth loved her mother-in-law. Christ commanded His disciples, and by extension the church.

Who are we loving today?

sanddunes-2