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| Strength | |||||||||||||
| by Doug Reese TTNL | |||||||||||||
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The Ironman competition is the toughest, most mentally demanding, cruelest, most challenging races on earth. The Hawaiian triathlon pushes the competitors to their absolute limits with a 2.5 mile swim, then a 115 mile bike ride, followed by a 26.2 marathon run. To just complete his course is an incredible achievement for any athlete. | ||||||||||||
| In the 1999 Ironman it was easy to notice all the competitors were in top physical condition, but what you may have noticed was a runner with only one leg, a man in a wheelchair, and a man swimming with a harness tied to a small inflatable raft.
In this raft was another man, who obviously could not swim on his own power. As the older of the two men climbed out of the raft, he gently picked up the man in the raft and carried him to the next station, the 115 mile bike ride. It turns out the two men were father and son. The father was 59 years old, and the son was 37. The son had cerebral palsy and could not physically compete on his own. So the two competed and challenged themselves as one. The race was won in just over eight hours, the father and son team crossed the finish line in just over 16 hours - rejoicing in emotion over their achievement. Their love for each other was their strength which allowed them to finish the race. Athletic Principle All athletes recognize the fact that strength is necessary to compete successfully. It is a critical element for success, but strength is not just power, or might, or force, or toughness, or stamina, or tenacity, or intensity, or will power. Sometimes strength is found in one's heart and in one's faith. True strength is found in perseverance. It is giving 100 percent effort and never giving in. Champions have a strength within that overcomes all problems as they pursue their goal. There will always be obstacles. Nothing is life is easy. Winners have perseverance and persistance to keep struggling, to keep fighting with all their might, strength and power towards reaching their goal - regardless of the roadblocks in the way. The main objective is surviving. If an athlete can find the inner strength during the tough times, they will persevere and come out a winner. You can get anything you want out of life if you just keep on trying. It is not easy of course, that is why there is so few champions. It is not impossible for you. Nothing is impossible if you want it badly enough. God's Performance Principle Life is much like the Ironman triathlon - it can be a mental and physical challenge. The stress can break the strongest of men. When we run with God though, he promises to renew our strength when we fatigue. |
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| "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40: 31) | |||||||||||||
| God becomes our strength when we keep our focus fixed on him. In Psalms 84:5 we are told that, "Blessed are those who strength is in you." God blesses those who rely on him. When we trust in our own strength we can struggle in the race of life. God wants us not to trust in anything or anyone, but Him, for he will bless us and give us the strength we need to finish the race. | |||||||||||||
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| "Physical strength comes from training, lifting one more weight, or in the case of a gymnast, doing one more flip. But real courage and strength comes from God." Mary Lou Retton - Olympic Gold Medallist, Gymnastics | |||||||||||||
| You may not be running a race as challenging as the Ironman, but sometimes life is just that hard. You many not be as physically challenged as the Ironman, but you may suffer from the loss of a starting position, injury, struggling with performance, or you may even may be hammered by the media. It is then when the Father gently pulls you out of the water you are struggling in, and carries you to the next challenge. God's arms are always open to catch you when you fall, his legs are there to carry you when you feel you can't walk. His love is there to fill your heart to give you strength to keep you going. When you cross the final finish line He will be there to embrace you.
Christ is the true Ironman - as his sacrifice and his strength will carry you through the finish. |
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| "The Lord is my strength and my song." (Exodus 5:2)
"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." (2 Samuel 22:33) "The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his annoited one." (Psalm 28:8) "God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1) "My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:26) |
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| Copyright (c) 2000, 2001, TTNL Reprinted with permission | |||||||||||||