The other day, after some of my notations, I was reading through Romans - I know, I'm kind of jumping all over the place, but that's okay, it's rather "fun". Anyway, I was reading Romans and came to this section in Romans 5
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
I first thought about the obvious - how running from difficulty does nothing but perpetuate weakness of faith. How depth of character comes not from the gentle flowing current of life, but rather the white water passages. I pondered this for most of the weekend. As I read the passage again today, I thought of what it was like when I began racing bikes.
Once I got serious about racing, I hired a personal trainer. He put me on a strength program designed to build specific muscles for cycling. It worked well, I got to the point where I could leg press over 400lbs with 5 repetitions - not bad for 50 years of age. Anyway...one of the training pieces was "intervals". I hated these! In fact, I didn't know anyone who raced, who enjoyed them, even my trainer!
With "intervals" you would pick a specific distance on a section of road - preferably with a gradual incline - then the fun would start. You would warm up first, then you started the work out. You would hit the starting point rolling, then go flat out - as hard as you could the entire distance! Once your heart rate recovered to a fairly normal rate, you would do it again; and again; and again; and again; until you literally could not pedal any longer. Then you hoped you could make it home!
Sometimes I would do my intervals on a hill - this would last only 3-5 repetitions. Other times my interval training would be to ride with a group that I knew was far superior in skill than I and try to stay with them as long as I could, then "limp" home.
The result -- I got stronger and stronger. My endurance became deeper and deeper. I could out last and out ride guys half my age as a result of this kind of training. Here's one specific example. One year, the first race I entered, I finished dead last out of about 50 riders. The following year, I finished 5th in that same race.
I remember it as though it was yesterday, On the last leg, there was a steep climb to the finish. I was about 20 riders deep in the pack. I broke to to the outside and started sprinting up the hill. Behind me I heard one of the top riders yell out, "Let him go, he'll blow up"!! I thought to myself, "like hell I will!" and kicked it to a higher gear! I knew I was taking a big risk going so early, but it was my only chance and I knew my training would pay off. And it did!
This is what Paul is saying here. Mac, you should have done your "interval training". It would have produced the endurance you needed and the strength of character you were lacking. It's never easy - but "because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us" we have the resources to survive and thrive!
Maybe it's time to start training again!
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