March 18

Life is no long jump

I went to go watch some friends of mine the other day at a track meet. It was great watching all the athletes execute their individual events with excellence and determination. Today’s New Testament reading reminded me of one of those events; the long jump. I love seeing the long jump competition, the anticipation while the athlete stares down the runway to the launch point. I am always amazed at how far someone can fly through the air extending all their limbs forward and finally pounce on the farthest spot possible. Wow, what an awesome feat to see, but life is not a long jump.

Can you imagine trying to live life everyday like a long jump? Don’t get me wrong, seeing someone run as fast as they can to try to time a jump at the revolving door in high heels at the bank would be a sight to see! Sorry… that made me laugh just thinking about it. It would be ridiculous to warm up, get focused and run full speed for a big jump every time you needed to get from one side of the room to another, just walk. Taking one step at a time is the natural way to walk through life. I think this was John the Baptist’s message to those who asked, “What should we do then?” John called the people to repentance for the forgiveness of sins and many accepted his message, but then they wanted to know how to walk this out in life. John answered the tax collectors, soldiers, everyone in the crowd and advised them to do what is right one decision at a time, in their own life. Repentance, forgiveness, seeking to live a holy life is not a long jump.

You can try to “save up” your sins, guilt and pain until it gets to be too much. We can beat ourselves up for all the mistakes we make every day and end up stressed out. Or we can try to ignore the call God has given us to "be holy as He is holy" until one day we feel we are prepared for the “long jump” into Jesus. Can I say it one more time… life is not a long jump. Life is a walk with Jesus.

Blessings,

Pastor David