Don’t give up! In 1952 Florence Chadwick attempted to swim the ocean waters between Catalina Island and the California shore, through foggy weather and choppy seas. After fifteen hours her muscles began to cramp and her resolve began to weaken. She begged to be taken out of the water. But her mother, riding in a boat alongside, urged her not to give up. She kept trying but grew exhausted. Aids lifted her out of the water. As they paddled a few more minutes, the mist broke, and she discovered shore was less than a half mile away. She said, “All I could see was the fog. I think if I could’ve seen the shore, I would’ve made it.”

Friend, don’t give up. The finish may be only strokes away. God may, at this very moment, be lifting his hand to signal Gabriel to grab the trumpet. The shore is closer than you thought. Stay at it! Stay in the race. And don’t give up.

Read more Facing Your Giants: God Still Does the Impossible

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.