This is part 2 of "Just Keep Swimming".  If you did not read part 1 please click here to read it first.  

We've learned to "NEVER Swim Alone",  my next rule of swimming is ..."if you get in trouble, DO NOT QUIT!". What happens if you quit swimming? YOU will SINK!

Continuing with our movie theme of  “Finding Nemo”, Dory and Marlin encountered all kinds of setbacks, but no matter what, they kept pressing on toward their goal. 

Some of us may be going through a season of weeping and mourning.  All of us have been through this at one time or another.  It is OK to feel sad, to grieve, to cry, to wake up and feel like quitting.  But whatever you do: DON'T QUIT.  

Like Dory, we must keep on swimming even if the only thing we can do that day is the survival float. Every day is different, there will be days when we can tread water and stay afloat, other days will be hectic and we will be dog paddling as fast as we can and not feel like we are gaining much ground.  But if we pray, rely on the power of the Holy Spirit, and ask for the help of our friends, there will be a day when we can do the very fast forward moving crawl-stroke and make great strides.  We will even have those wonderful days when we are floating on a raft with a big glass of iced tea.  Those are my favorite days. 

The Word says that "in this world we will face many trials, but don't lose heart, Jesus has overcome the world!" Don't quit on your toughest day!  Remember you are not alone!

Romans 8:18 says "what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later."

Phillippians 3 says, "I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us."

Marlin and Dory's prize was finding Nemo.  They were able to persevere because they never lost sight of their final goal, to rescue Nemo and bring him home.  What is our final goal?  HEAVEN.  It is there that we will be with the Lord Jesus Christ and worship him forever.  Never lose sight of Jesus as you race toward your final destination.   

Today I encourage you to "Keep Swimming", no matter what, so that at the end of your race you can say the words of Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7-8:

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race.  I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge will award me on that day and not ONLY to me, but to ALL who have longed for his appearing."

JUST KEEP SWIMMING!