"I have fought a good fight,
I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE,
I have kept the faith: "
-- 2 Timothy 4:7

I have always enjoyed participating in various sports activities.

Knowing that, it's not surprising that one of my favorite classes at school during my younger days was P.E. (Physical Education)

During the P.E. class, we went through a wide variety of  sports and physical fitness drills to improve our agility, endurance and overall physical health.  And one of those drills was the obstacle course.

The obstacle course was exactly what is sounds like:  a course that was designed with numerous obstacles in the path of the finish line.  Some of these obstacles had to be crawled under, while others were designed with a need to be climbed over.  Still other obstacles had to be gone around.  And there were even hindrances that the only way around was to put our heads down and plow right into them.

Now, these obstacle courses were never impossible.  There was always a way to make it to the finish line.  Sometimes it was difficult to even see the finish line, but nonetheless it was there. 

Of course, these obstacles had varying degrees of difficulty.  Some posed very little challenge and were more nuisances than hindrances.  Others, however, tested every bit of strength and agility we had in order to be able to overcome them.

The instructor was always waiting at the finish line to hand out "congratulations" for making it through the course.  In fact, throughout the course, if you listened, you could actually hear him encouraging you along the way...

..."Great job.  Keep going, you're getting there!"
..."A tough one is coming up, be careful!"
..."The only way around this next obstacle is _____"
..."Don't get discouraged, keep going, you can do it!" 

He was always right.  It wasn't always easy, but I did always make it to the finish line.

You know, our lives are kind of like that obstacle course from P.E. class.  God has put a finish line in front of us, the plan and purpose for our lives, and satan tosses obstacles all throughout our path, trying to trip us up and keep us from reaching God's will for each of us. 

Seems like we're always crawling or climbing or walking around, doesn't it?  Sometimes it seems like the only way through one of these stumbling blocks is to simply put our head down (in prayer!) and plow right into the thing.

Know this my friend, none of these obstacles are impossible with God's help.  He always enables us and empowers us to make it past those hindrances and reach the finish line of His will for our lives.  Sometimes it is easy and more of a nuisance than a challenge.  But other times it takes exercising every bit of faith we have in order to overcome them.

And all the while, that Heavenly Instructor waits at the finish line ready to say, "Congratulations" and shouting encouragement along our way.

Are you facing an obstacle this morning that is hindering you from God's will?  Then listen closely my friend and I believe you'll hear that Heavenly Instructor speaking to you...

..."Great job.  Keep going, you're getting there!"
..."A tough one is coming up, be careful!"
..."The only way around this next obstacle is _____"
..."Don't get discouraged, keep going, you can do it!" 

And He's always right.

You WILL get there.

Let us echo the words of Paul today, "I have fought a good fight, I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE, I have kept the faith:"

Have a "Wonderful DAY in Christ,"
Jimmy D. Brown
\o/ Praise Jesus!