Enduring: Lesson in Living

This morning the shoulder is in pain. Last night sleep was done in fits and starts. The endurance mindset or skills acquired through endurance sports serves me well here today. And today, I find out about what is going on in the shoulder and consequently my season will be directly impacted.

Hope and faith are summoned in my behalf: hope for good results and a healthy, hopeful start of a new training regimen and the prospects of a new season. Faith, that regardless of the results, regardless of the prospects of this immediate future; I can and will endure in whatever season I am called into because God's got my back.

A Little Off Dead Center

Sometimes it seems that this lifestyle is a little counter-culture; a little off dead center. I have always been a little different so being in the "little off dead center"sub-culture seems appropriate; it is where the action is. It might even be considered that it is called "dead" center because it is not very lively there.

Who Cares?

There is a song with the words: "May the footsteps that we leave, lead them to believe and the life we live inspire them to obey." On my birthday, I was talking to my doctor arranging my MRI and I noticed this picture here in his file. All these years I had no idea he had even more than a casual professional interest in what I do. Are there others? I think so. On my birthday card my son wrote how much he admired the training discipline that I had shown and how he would like to be able to emulate that discipline in his own life.

Sometimes things get me down in this lifestyle. Sometimes the fatigue is oppressive. Sometimes I just want to quit and take up watching television, and become as old as my years. But, to whom much is given; much is required and I have been given much and consequently, there is much required of me. Those blessings I have been given exact a responsibility that should not be shirked just because things get tough. And so it is with the rest of our lives and our faith life as well. It is incumbent upon us as recipients of the gift that "those who come behind us find us faithful."

Redeemed

Writing this blog has already had some good results. After posting my experience in capitulation to adverse conditions this morning, I felt convicted. Self-examination is not easy and is most often painful but that is also the ingredients to the recipe of growth.

I got my warm clothes on this time and went to the same place and this time, got the run completed. Yes ! It is not much but perhaps something to learn from and build upon.

A Time I Did Not Overcome

Today, I drove out to do a five mile run. On the way it started raining. I wasn't dressed for that and the wind was blowing when I got out of the truck. Out on the road I was quickly wet and cold. After a mile I shut it down. Perhaps, I should have continued in spite? Perhaps, like when I was training for an event, I should have soldered on, no matter. I have before; lots of times. Why not today?

There is no event in my near future. There is no goal to strive through adversity for. And so it is with our faith. Without the purpose and guidance of God in our lives, we can be lead to bow to that which with God's purpose and guidance, we once overcame.

"Let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets us and run with patience the race that is set before us" and not quit because the weather is damp and cold.

I Do Believe

It is cold and raining outside. Weather has been cold and damp for a while. Training has been limited and unmotivated. My shoulder hurts all the time, and physical therapy doesn't seem to be doing any good. There is the likely prospect of a future operation. All of this is a far cry from the hope and prospects six months ago when the training was going full steam.

However, it is my birthday and wishes for a happy birthday abound; I am loved. I do believe that I am loved by God as well. And, I believe that as deeply in the face of present disappointments. As low as the moment may seem, I believe I will be taken higher through His power and His Grace. Beyond this winter; beyond my winter, there is spring; there is hope; eternal Hope. I want to be like the bird who sings before dawn while it is still dark. This I do believe.