Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 0-188 (Devotional)

SPIRITUAL OLYMPICS

by Bruce Prewer

When the race is long and we are buffeted by a strong wind; when even the young grow weary and the strong become faint:

Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who leads the way and completes our faith.

When life becomes a steeplechase, and obstacles loom large and hazardous; when we fail at a hurdle feeling foolish and ashamed:

Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who was in every way tested as we are.

When we must row through choppy waters on our side of the course, while others get the smooth waters, and the race seems unfair:

Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who gave everything and did not count the cost.

When the weight of our responsibilities grows heavier, and we carry nagging injuries and face stiff opposition and ovezealous judges:

Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who chooses the weak to confound the strong.

When we are called to take yet another leap of faith, but the bar seems too high and our energy too depleted for the challenge:

Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who is with us always, right to the end of time.

When we sincerely aim at the target, but our judgement is poor or our arm unsteady, and we fall short or wide of our best intentions:

Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who comes not to condemn but to save.

When we suspect others of cheating, yet they win the applause while we struggle in the middle of the pack, making our integrity seem like a handicap:

Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who did not open his mouth to complain.

When we become overwhelmed with tiredness and pain, and the temptation to drop out threatens to consume us again:

Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who endured the cross, making light of its disgrace.

Surrounded as we are by such a great crowd of witnesses, let us put aside every needless burden, every sin that handicaps us, every sin that mocks us.

Loving God, help us to run with determination the race that lies before us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus. With his help, we can do all things, to your praise and glory. Amen.

– One of Bruce Prewer’s ‘Australian Psalms’, reproduced from _Jesus Our Future_ (1998), by permission of the author and Open Book Publishers, Adelaide, Australia.