Training through Trials
My favorite types of sports are endurance sports. What are yours? I am so fascinated by endurance sports because they reveal the very best in the human spirit. Men and women allow themselves to be pushed to their very limits. Races such as the Tour de France, the Boston Marathon, and the IRONMAN triathlon contain
stories that can take your breath away-physically and poetically. Completing IRONMAN Chattanooga (a 144-mile triathlon) in September 2022 is one of the greatest accomplishments of my life. I can even tell you the song that was playing when I crossed the finish line! A little bit after the race, a friend wanted to ask me questions about my race experience. One of the questions he asked me was, "What did you enjoy more? The finish line or the training?" I paused for a second, gave the question time to breathe, and gave him this answer: "The training. Because it was
during those grueling hours that I truly became an IRONMAN." Psalm 18 puts us into the spirit of King David. He waxes eloquently on the grandiose
strength of the LORD. In verses 31-34, David says: "For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God, the God who girds me with strength and makes my way blameless? He makes my feet like hinds' feet, and sees me upon my high places. He trains my hands for battle, so that my
arms can bend a bow of bronze." (Psalm 18:31-34) You may not be an endurance athlete. You may not even consider yourself to be the athletic-type. But know that the trials of your life are training you for battle. Life can feel like one challenge after the next. May you see that our God is using each of those
challenges to make you stronger. Happy training, friend! —- Pastor Rhidge Garcia, February 3, 2024