Minute Musings...Training To Win

How many times do we think we know better than the Lord what is best for us?  We reason
with our finite minds, what we deem the right problems, length of trials and the reason why
we should have to go through these tribulations.  May I tell you that we know nothing!  We
don't like to hear that do we!  Our old nature rises up within us and wants to argue that
point with fervor.  Now be honest, if given the choice would any of us choose to go through
the things that we've faced?  Definitely not.  Our human nature naturally wants the path
of least resistance. 

Look for a moment at an athlete.  If he did not have resistance training when preparing for
an event, what would his endurance level be?  Not very high.  He would run into trouble
before he completed the competition.  His coach however knows that even though the training
is hard, long and tedious, when the time comes, his athlete will be able to stand up against the
rigors of the course before him.

We find in Hebrews 12:1 & 2 the description of our task in this world.  "Wherefore seeing
we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every
weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience 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 is set down
at the right hand of the throne of God." 

It is customary for an athlete to train with weights on his legs.  Although this makes the
training difficult, it builds up his leg muscles.  The day of the race, the weights are removed
and he can fly down that course! 

Our "coach" is familiar with this race, He has run it before us!  He knows what is required
to finish the course.  What He sends our way is strengthening us, He is giving us the needed
equipment to train in order to finish the course!  An athlete has complete trust in his coach,
he does what is asked of him because he knows that it is preparing him for the big race.  How
do we react when our "coach" the Lord Jesus Christ adds weights to the training sessions,
when He sends us the needed trials that will give us the added strength we need to complete
the race? 

Check your attitude today, and become determined, with God's help, to say with Paul in
these two passages;  Philippians 3:14, "I press towards the mark for the prize, of the
high calling of God in Christ Jesus." And 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought a good fight, I
have finished my course, I have kept the faith:"