Leap and glide.
They are the words I repeat to myself when cross-country skiing. I’m a beginner, so repeating “leap and glide” reminds me to stride on my skis. For if I just push my ski forward without the leap and glide, I don’t go far with more effort.
Some cross-country skiers call this move “drop and pop.” Basically, you gain momentum in your stride to glide. But I am tentative because the glide scares me. Will I slip? Will I go too fast? Will I fall forward on my face?
And, ironically, it is those fears that can cause me to loose stride! When I loose faith in myself, and allow doubts to enter my mind, I lose out on the possibility of a wonderful glide.
A Lesson of Faith
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Matthew 14:29-32
Because Peter put his focus on the wind, he became afraid. His doubt took over his faith and he began to sink. It’s easy for us to begin to fear when we take our focus off Jesus. When we doubt our abilities, we are placing our focus on ourselves. When we allow the troubles of this world (and there will always be troubles) to dishearten us, we are relying on our own strength. We lose hope.
The good news is Jesus is always there. We can refocus on Him whose presence is always with us. As children of God, we have eternal life. As long as we do not turn our backs on God, nothing of this world can claim us. Like Peter, when in fear and doubt, may we turn our mind and hearts back to Jesus who steadies us.
Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! 1 Corinthians 16:11
It is going to take practice for my cross country skiing glide to get better. My mind may know what my body requires to “leap and glide,” but it will take time for my muscles to learn to respond to this new skill. As followers of Christ, it takes intentional practice for us to respond with the faith Jesus offers. Today may you know God’s faithful presence.
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Linking up with Let’s Have Coffee Grace&Truth
Lynn, you shared one of my favorite stories from the gospels. I have to intentionally remember to keep my eyes set on Jesus. Continually. You are right, it is a discipline and it takes time, but it is so worth every effort. And again, these photos are just beautiful. Those mountains reminded me today to keep lifting my gaze upward!
Hi Joanna, Those mountains do make us look upward! I live in the prairies but blessed to be close to a mountain rocky range. Yet, our gaze is to be on Him no matter where we are! Yes, it takes times, these disciplines, but thankful His presence is always with us. Have a blessed day!
This is a great analogy, Lynn, and I always love the story of Peter walking on the water. Thank you for the reminder to keep our focus on Jesus and for the refreshing photos that point us to God’s beauty and power! Love and blessings to you!
Hi Trudy, I love your words: “refreshing photos that point us to God’s beauty and power!” What a blessing and encouragement those words of yours are for me! And you put into words exactly why I share the photos including to invoke God’s peace in our hearts and minds. Thank you my friend!
Thank you for this beautiful reminder, Lynn. Maintaining our focus on Jesus isn’t always easy, but it sure is worth it. Thanks for sharing your gorgeous photos!❤️
Amen, Jill. It is worth it! I must admit I have been relying on myself a lot, but thankful for His continual presence and teachings. Have a blessed day!
Great message Lynn. Just like practicing is needed for skiing and other activities, we need to read His Word daily and stay in conversation with God.
Hi Melissa! I like how you say “stay in conversation with God.” I’m working on this and still spend most of my time talking to myself or others! Reading His word daily is definitely a wonderful thing to keep us in conversation with God. Have a wonderful weekend!
Lynn, great object lesson here! Both cross country skiing and trusting God involve faith and courage! certainly less focus on our fears in either case!
Yes! So true that focusing on faith has us turned away from fear. Have a blessed day, Donna!
You’ve captured a winter wonderland, friend … which is different than all things gray in this neck of the woods. Glorious, calm, peaceful, pure. Thank you for brightening my day.
Have a lovely weekend!
I am glad that even my snowy pictures could brighten your day, Linda!
I’ve heard that cross country skiing is one of the most vigorous forms of exercise there is. So I applaud you for doing it!
“As followers of Christ, it takes intentional practice for us to respond with the faith Jesus offers. Today may you know God’s faithful presence.” Thank you, Lynn.
I am not yet vigorous on skis, Lisa! But hope to be one day! Your words remind me that by faithfully practicing of out faith, we also become vigorous in serving God.
A wonderful analogy, Lynn. Love all the photos of winter loveliness also. Those key words of cross-country skiing, “leap” and “glide,” could be applied to our relationship with Christ. We take leaps of faith, but we can glide on all his glorious attributes and promises. It’s while leaping and glideiing that the fun of faith really happens!
Love your words here, Nancy! May we take leaps of faith to glide in all His love and promises.
Amen, Lynn!
I love your analogy! I also love cross-country skiing. As with anything in life, we must intentionally practice if we want to improve. But how often do we think once a week at church is all the practice we need for a vibrant relationship with God?
Once a week at church is definitely not enough Jesus! 🙂 r
I have never cross country skied but I want to try it someday. I am a downhill skier. Fear keeps me from accomplishing the goals God has for me. I am working on persisting through the fear with my focus on God. I love the story of Peter. We must keep our eyes on Jesus. Thank you. I plan to feature your post on Friday for Grace & Truth Link-Up on Embracing the Unexpected. Maree
Thank you for featuring my post! I understand how fear can hold us back. As soon as fear comes, may we turn away from it and to Jesus! Thanks for your words here!
Lynn, I tried cross-country skiing a few times when I was younger. It’s fun, scary, and exhilarating. I was always afraid I would break a leg maneuvering one of those long skis around a tight corner. 🙂 I love that you’re learning this. I also appreciate Peter. He was so honest with Jesus about his fears and in his trust. I love that he was the only one who even tried to get out of the boat! 🙂 May we both choose to leap and glide in our relationships with the Lord!
Yes! May we choose to leap and glide in our relationship with the Lord! Thanks for helping me do just that, Jeanne, with your words and sharing. Have a wonderful weekend!
Striding is what I can’t do,
and in my walk I limp
for what I am now going through
makes me quite the gimp.
Cancer’s in the femur now,
a hiking staff’s my friend,
and sometimes I wonder just how
this thing is gonna end.
Want to cry but tears won’t come,
and what would they achieve?
Can’t be down and can’t be glum,
gotta help my friends believe
that when you face the worst of days
there’s still cause to offer praise.
Thank you for your poetic words here, Andrew! We are called to spread His message above all else, aren’t we? And to praise His name. May He lift your heart in praise today.
I have never attempted to ski but many efforts to learn new skills have required me to intentionally practice. As my grandmother used to say, “Practice makes perfect.” I don’t know about the perfect, but it does cause improvement, confidence in the skill and eventually the ability to teach someone else how to do it. Your words here “As followers of Christ, it takes intentional practice for us to respond with the faith Jesus offers.” stung a little. I practice my faith regularly, but sometimes I act as if it is forced practice. Like when Mamma made me practice my flute lessons. I want to respond with the faith Jesus offers which requires intentional practice rather than forced. Love this.
Improvement and confidence comes from practice. So true! You reminded me of the saying about never forgetting how to ride a bike, but when we consistently ride, our confidence grows. I understand the “forced practice.” My bible study homework can also feel like forced practice and something I need to check off. But I think that can be okay, too, as it develops a spiritual habit of being in His word.
I’ve only cross country skied once in my life and didn’t know what I was doing. I do know the fear of losing control on a slippery slope. It does take practice and choosing to rely on Jesus.
Whenever we start something new we don’t know what we are doing, and it sure can be humbling! I like how you mention to “rely on Jesus.” So true! He gives us the courage to start new things, too!