This week I watched some of the FIFA Women’s World Cup while I was sorting papers, clearing up clutter. The athletes ran back and forth across the field. They were bumped and kicked, falling on the ground in pain. Then they would get up and run again in the relentless battle to score a goal. One of the games ended with a score of 1 to 0.
The goals were few and hard fought. (The USA v. Thailand game was unusual with a score of 13 to 0.)
Last night I stayed up late to finish a book, The Healer’s Daughter, by Charlotte Hinger. The book was about the hard fought goal that a group of former slaves had in establishing an all-black town. The book is fiction but based on the true story of Nicodemus, Kansas. (Stay tuned for a complete review.)
I had been reading a couple chapters at a time—pausing to think about it. It detailed very painful events that took place following the Civil War, the way that some white people treated slaves that were now free. The author exposed evil.
I went to bed thinking about the aftermath of the war and the way the black families had been crushed in the preceding years. Yet this persevering group of people were steadfast in reaching their goal. They establishing a town that is now a National Historical site.
The soccer games and this book have stimulated me to think about my life as a Christian. Am I steadfast and persevering in following Jesus? When I see my failures do I repent, get up and continue on in faith?
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12: 1-2
Photo by Philipp Reiner on Unsplash
Kate’s prompt for the Five Minute Five writing community is: GOAL
Some of my favorite verses – those in Hebrews. With that great cloud of witnesses…cheering us on…there is so much encouragement to remain steadfast. To persevere. Enjoyed your thought-provoking words today. Have a blessed weekend!
Carol, one of our country’s great travesties – slavery. Sounds like an excellent book.
The book gave me a new perspective. Thanks for visiting!
I love when something seemingly random causes us to reflect! I thought about soccer in the last couple seconds of my FMF today!
Love your prose today and always.
Visiting as a neighbor from FMF linkup!
https://medium.com/@tammybreitweiser/fmf-goal-d4b1b1443e14
It is amazing how history can teach us so much and cause us to re-evaluate our own goals. I was glad to join you this morning!
Thanks for visiting, Joanne!
Your thoughts make me wonder about how we call it ‘exercising’ our faith – it’s a great analogy. And I will check out the book too.
Haven’t written my FMF post yet (it’s 7.00am here in the UK!)
God bless
I’m glad you visited and commented. I enjoyed the poem on your blog. It is a blessing to have this community of writers at FMF.
I’ll have to look for that book. FIFA, not so much; I played rugby.
You made me think, and thining produced this…
It’s funny how we learn to hate
the people we’ve mistreated;
it seems somehow that their fate
is thus fitting-completed.
And what if they love us back,
in the face of fiery evil?
Can their grace forestall attack,
offer our souls retrieval?
Or will they just inflame us more,
showing up what we are not,
as we open up the furnace door;
did we think Hell was not hot?
Can the meekness of the Christ
be inheritance of what He sacrificed?
Your neighbour at Five Minute Friday.
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2019/06/your-dying-spouse-632-god-of-second.html