I've always wanted to do a triathlon. This one was a 1/2 mile swim, 20 mile bike, and a 4 mile run. By far the most enjoyable part of the race was the beginning of the swim. I felt like a salmon swimming upstream getting kicked in the face and clawed from every direction for several minutes. Kind of weird but neat experience you have to try once in life. The transition from biking to running wasn't so much fun. The defining word I would use to describe it is - 'brutal.' Can't help but think about all of the spiritual analogies to completing a triathlon and the Christian race we're in.
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. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him 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 sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Hebrews 12.1-4
Feeling exhausted during the final moments of the triathlon and this passage in Hebrews reminds me of what Christ endured here on earth. Remembering the pain from the triathlon run and equating it with the exhaustion that Christ faced gives me strength to continue the race we're currently in. Ministry can be brutal at times. If our eyes are fixed on anything but Jesus we are bound to lose our course. There is no other motivation for ministering to others. If we're in it for the power, money, privilege, or to please other people we'll get lost and discouraged.
Consider him... so that you will not lose heart.
Now for my first marathon...
.jpg)