Kitty Williams, Director of Music Ministries
Wow! Can you believe that we are at the end of October?
What a year!!
We couldn’t wait for 2020 to be over, and then 2021 has been a bit difficult, too.
Planning music and youth choir activities has been challenging.
Sometimes the obstacles and uncertainty seem to overwhelm and distract me from doing the things I need to be doing.
As many of you are aware, we just finished this year’s Running 4 Clean Water 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run.
As chairperson, Joey Fisher had many obstacles to overcome.
Originally scheduled for April 2020, the event was rescheduled because of the ‘COVID lockdown.’
With the uncertainty of the situation, even the new dates had to be postponed twice. Finally, the October 2021 date was locked in!
We were set to hold the run at the Duck Creek Green Belt in South Garland.
About six weeks before the race, Joey and Cindy went to scout out the course and – BOOM – a massive section of the route including a bridge was under construction.
Ugh – yet another obstacle!
Obviously, Joey and Cindy led the committee through the obstacles and race was successful, raising more than $10,500!
Lives will be changed because of their perseverance!
(Thanks, Joey and Cindy!)
Considering the race and the upcoming All Saints’ Day holiday on November 1, this scripture passage from Hebrews comes to mind:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
There is a lot packed into these verses and that book of the Bible!
For this reflection, I am focusing on the phrase fixing our eyes on Jesus.
I am so thankful for those who have gone before me, teaching me to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus’ way.
I am thankful for those of you who encourage each other, overcoming the obstacles that hinder God’s kingdom on earth.
I am thankful that Jesus sees each of us and is not distracted.
Jesus sees who we were, who we are and who we are becoming.
Sometimes we are so wrapped up in shame, guilt, grudges or just the business of life, we can’t move forward.
Please know that you are Jesus’ beloved.
Keeping that in mind, take one step at a time, knowing that God is with you each step of the way.
You will persevere! You will finish the race!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
look full in his wonderful face,
and the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace.
Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus
Hymn 349
United Methodist Hymnal
First Reflections 