Daily Journal: 22 July

The Man who Swam

for Twenty Years

When we are hard-pressed, we have to make choices. We don’t always have great choices to choose from. Often, they’re just the best choices we can make under the circumstances.

We compare a lot. If you've ever had to overcome comparison or self-pity, you'll know comparison is a killer. Learning not to compare and not to feel sorry for ourselves is to overcome sin and find freedom in the goodness of God.

When we do compare, don't we compare our circumstance to those we think have it better than us? If we're going to compare, why don't we more readily consider those who we think have it worse than us?

There was a man who had two choices. To get to his job he could either catch a bus and travel for three hours around a river. Or, he could swim for fifteen minutes across that river. He chose to swim. For twenty years, every day, he swam across the river to teach maths at a school. But each day he arrived at school, what was he really teaching his students? Commitment, resilience, and character.

Psalm 37:3 (NIV)

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Choices give us a way forward

When we have a way forward, no matter how hard or for how long, if we believe in God's goodness, we choose to have hope. We stay resolved in that hope. We allow perseverance to develop our character, and character, hope (Romans 5:3-5). Our choice to have hope or not have hope, changes our final outcome.

Where we place our hope should bring us confidence

Psalm 37:4-6, 11 (NIV)

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun…. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.

We have a choice today. To plant our feet in faith for another day, or step outside of faith.

Where does your hope come from?

The man who swam for twenty years knew what he needed, what he was doing, and why he was doing it. He placed his confidence in his purpose, and in his ability to swim, whether it rained or whether it was sunny, whether he was tired or not. He kept swimming across the river to teach kids who would ultimately remember him for his daily tenacity and commitment to them. That’s called a legacy.

You may not feel like you have strength today. You may feel life is unfair. But your tenacity to do what is good and have a right heart will carry a legacy that will remain. It's miserable to live miserably.

Psalm 32:11 (NLV)

Be glad in the Lord and be full of joy, you who are right with God! Sing for joy all you who are pure in heart!

Live your life gladly

Romans 15:13 (ESV)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Lord, we bring before You every tendency we have with comparison or self-pity. Purify our hearts and renew our minds in Christ Jesus. We know You are a good God. You bring us good things, even if we must be tenacious in our circumstances. Lord, we ask You to do good to us and build in us the character we need to live our lives gladly, with thanksgiving, and leave the legacy You want.