“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV)
The Apostle Paul used the ancient analogy of running a race. Today, I shall use a similar analogy, referring to a different type of race that athletes participated in ancient times, rowing.
I failed in my effort to find out what you call the person who pushes a rowing boat, filled with the rowing crew, off at the start of a competition. In a recent Bible class where I used my analogy, labeled such a person the “pusher-off-person,” for lack of a better term. I described to the class about a time when I was appointed to fulfill that role in a rowing event between senior boy scout teams at a nearby reservoir during my older teen years. Our team did not do well, and initially I faulted the rowers, but after a comment made by one of the class participants, I came to acknowledge that apparently, I was not a good “pusher-off-person.” I have to own up to the responsibility, after all these years, because my team headed off in the wrong direction, partially due to me being a novice “pusher-off-person.” and they got stuck in the part of the body of water where green plants caused the team to struggle. As a side note, you will want a good “pusher-off person” when it comes to spiritual matters, especially biblical instruction. Turn to your pastor or Bible teacher, or the student who truly is one who studies diligently. And surely know you should always consult with the Master of the sea, Jesus.
Back to the analogy. While my effort to find the official name for the “pusher-off-person,” produce no results, I did find out the following about rowing teams as I searched the Internet. A blog that was titled “A Beginners Guide to a Rowing Crew” enlightened me about actual rowing crews. Here is what I found. “When it comes to deciding a crew member’s place in a rowing team, there are two types of positions that the athlete may take. One is that of a rower, of which there can be several on a large team. The rowers sit with their backs to the bow, or front section of the boat, and they provide the propulsion via their use of the boat’s oars. In a crew of eight, the rowers are further split into technical-class rowers at the bow, who keep the boat stable and balanced, the powerhouse class of rowers in the middle, who provide most of the strength and power, and the stern or stroke-class rowers, who set the timing of the team’s rowing actions. The head of the boat is the other major position, known as the coxswain. The coxswain, or cox, has the responsibility of steering, motivating, and otherwise communicating with the team and leading them during the race. The coxswain sits at the stern end and faces the rowing team, though in some cases they may sit in the bow position.”
Let’s make this applicable and profitable to you and me as we sail down the waterways of life. We are crew members, rowing ahead on the boat called the “Old Ship of Zion.” We are the rowers, on the set apart crew, and there are those members of the crew who provide the propulsion, faithful rowers who keep the boat stable and balanced, and there are very seasoned rowers who provide most of the strength and power. However, note that every crew member must do their share of the work. At the head of the boat, it is not a coxswain as in actual rowing competition described above, but there is Someone better. There is the Christ! So, just as the Apostle Paul urged runners in the Christian race to keep their eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, let me urge you to keep your eyes on head of our rowing crew, the ultimate coxswain, Jesus, regardless of your technical rowing expertise. He will perform His responsibility well. He will steer us in the right direction. He will motivate us to keep rowing, regardless of the conditions we face; whether the waters or tranquil or troubled. He will communicate with us through His words! And He will certainly lead us in the right direction.
If you are reading this my Christian friend, you are most likely a crew member. Be encouraged! Keep rowing! Keep depending on our superior coxswain, Jesus Christ! Depending on Him will make our rowing experience a whole lot better and we will be victorious over our opposition. You see, Jesus is the solution to everything we shall face as we row on! So, man the oars and keep rowing, row as you want to win the race, row in a powerful way this Tuesday, and every day of your life that follows! Be blessed!
“Jesus Christ is not a problem; He is the solution to every problem for life, for death, and for eternity.” (Quote by Henry Ironside)
Mark L. King