Willingness To Suffer

Todd here, just wanted to share some thoughts:

I heard a profound statement that has been challenging me. I have a friend who is extremely into cycling. He was involved in a conversation on the phone and sitting right next to him I couldn't help but eaves drop just a little. Even though I was not involved in the conversation I could tell what they were talking about. They were talking about how these guys can get out there in the "Texas heat" and cycle 75 - 100 miles in 3 hours and still have the desire to keep going... to win the race. My friend responded with this statement, " it all comes down to who is willing to suffer the most." Wow!!!!!!! The preacher in me loves hearing things like this because obviously it is a great illustration. However, the person, the man in me hates to hear things like this because it hurts. I hate it because it challenges, it exposes, it makes me uncomfortable. Following Christ is all about running to him with an increasing pace. During a race the cyclist body is screaming at them to "STOP". During the Christian race our flesh screams at us telling us to give up and to give in. The racer knows that he belongs at the Finish Line, The racer knows that he did not start this race just to give up but to win. He pushes through the pain the " suffering" and focuses on the joy of crossing that finish line. His willingness to suffer is the very thing that enables him to finish his race.
Our willingness to suffer with Christ will be the very thing that takes us home. Count it all Joy!!!!!
Romans 18:1 / James 1:2