1 Corinthians 9
24 Don’t you know that all the runners in the stadium run, but only one gets the prize? So run to win. 25 Everyone who competes practices self-discipline in everything. The runners do this to get a crown of leaves that shrivel up and die, but we do it to receive a crown that never dies. 26 So now this is how I run—not without a clear goal in sight. I fight like a boxer in the ring, not like someone who is shadowboxing. 27 Rather I’m landing punches on my own body and subduing it like a slave. I do this to be sure that I myself won’t be disqualified after preaching to others.
Now this was a tough day....! 81 biking miles by myself in the heat, humidity, wind and rain. Throw in a few leg cramps and you've got one of those days where you wonder..."Why am I doing this?" I had to put the bible passage first because that's what kept coming to my mind as I "slogged" through the ride (sorry Joe, had to borrow your word!). I started out about 8:30 thinking it would be a nice day for a long ride. The temperature wasn't supposed to get about 92 degrees. My first mistake was taking my hilly route going out. As I got out about 5 miles the wind kicked up and I was riding in either a head wind or strong side wind most of the first 30 miles. Even though it was tough I was thinking, this will be nice to have a tail wind going back :-) Wrong....At about mile 30 or 35 the wind switched direction which ment a head wind going back home. On top of that the thunder storm clouds were building in the west and I was heading right into them. The first 10 miles coming back wasn't to bad, except for the head wind, but right after that man...did the wind kick up. (when I got home I looked on the internet and it was up to 20 mph gust). At several points in the ride I slowed to 10 mph and it was really,really hard! The worst came at about mile 65 where it started to pour down. The wind was blowing so hard that when it shifted to the side it almost blew me off the road. Luckly, with the heavy rain, there was hardly any traffic on the road. I think only 2 cars passed me on in the last 15 miles. (I can't imagine what they were thinking...ha ha...no they were thinking "what an idiot!") I was so glad to get home..! My overall speed was 16.2. I'm supprised it wasn't 10 or 12.
Today was a good learning experience for me...Not in biking or running but in my Christian walk. Why don't I exert myself, push myself, sacrifice my body, my mind and my heart for Christ? The answer is simple...I don't take the depravity of my sin and Jesus's death on the cross serious enough! If I did, I would put out all my effort to follow him and be obedient to his will in my life. I need to focus on the clear goal in sight... the real crown...! | 