1.Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Hebrews 12:1-3

For parents of kids in the early 2000s, the words ‘just keep swimming’ bring to mind a certain character that faced a life full of challenges with unerring joy. We might also shudder slightly at the mention of the movie that probably played ad nauseam in our homes much to the delight of our little ones.

Recently, I have undertaken some long overdue steps toward a more healthy lifestyle, and found myself in a pool last week in mid-September, freezing while I finished my required laps. The swim that night was cold and hurried. Exercise didn’t start until after dark, there are no lights in this particular pool, and the temperature of the water had rapidly dropped. I found myself simply encouraging myself to just keep swimming. I checked my watch for progress far more often than normal, just hoping it was over. Typically during a swim, I am able to turn my mind to solving a problem I am facing or spend some time in communion with God. Not that night. Every stroke was a struggle, I continually got water in my eyes or nose causing me to have to stop to clear my goggles our cough to remove the water from my throat. I began to recite encouraging verses to myself to pass the time. It didn’t lessen the effort, but I was comforted.

I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me. - Phil4:13

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. Psalm 37:24

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9

2020 has left me feeling confused and frustrated. I’m ready for it to be over, We all feel the same way. We want our lives back. Although I have never been a touchy-feely person, I find myself longing for physical contact. I want to shake a business partner’s hand. I want to pull a church family member in to a long deep hug, I want to kneel beside someone in prayer and put my hand on their shoulder.

Mostly, I am burdened for our little church family. I’m sure there are others who feel the same way as I do all over this country. There are so many who haven’t felt comfortable coming to services. It’s not my job to judge how they feel about current situations, but I worry. I worry that they might become comfortable with not coming to service. I worry that they might decide that they can “worship just as good at home”. I actually used to feel the same way. I always felt like missing a few church services didn’t really hurt, as long as you were living right. How wrong I was! Circumstances this year have opened my eyes to things I never realized. When we had to cancel church for a while, I became acutely aware of my need for corporate worship. I long for lifting my voice in harmony with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I have a deep need for Spirit-led teaching from an under-shepherd who is willing to preach the word he’s received even knowing it’s going to “step on some toes”. Sure, I watched the videos our pastor posted, I even sang for one, and helped some friends record themselves for others. But I needed to be in the actual presence of my church family. When we were finally able to go back, I was surprised at the swell of emotions that overwhelmed me. I am not known for being a publicly emotional person, and yet, I sat with tears streaming down my face for the first few weeks back in God’s house. It’s odd, I went from being the one who barely pulled into the parking lot in time to run into class, to one of the first ones there every time.. I truly am glad when it’s time to come into the house of the Lord.

So what can we do? We can pray for those who are uncomfortable, we can let them know that we love them, that we miss them, and that we respect their choices for their health. We can pray for this horrible virus to come to an end. And, we just keep going. The verses I cited at the beginning of this post are always a great encouragement to me. In the first verse of Hebrews 12, the great cloud of witnesses discussed is the list of heroes of faith in the 11th chapter. We’re then encouraged to cast off our burdens and throw aside our sins, and run the race set before us. Verse 2 goes on to explain that we only need to look to Jesus, who for the very joy of serving His Father, took on the burden of the sins of the entire world. Verse 3 gives us explicit instructions to consider every thing that Christ endured, so that we do not grow weary or faint.

Friends, we need to remember that we aren’t the first ones to have problems in this life, be they physical, mental, or spiritual, it would not be hard to find an example of someone in God’s word who faced a similar problem. We are to “stay the course” Keep doing, keep praying, and keep praising through it all. Be an encourager to our friends who need encouragement, show love to those who need love, pray for those who need prayer, and trust Jehovah-Jireh to provide all that we need in this life. In short, “just keep swimming!”