Present Sufferings Don’t Compare

Recently I competed in the Iceman. It’s a 29 mile mountain bike race from Kalkaska to Traverse City in Michigan. It was my first race and it is touted as the longest one day point to point mountain bike race in the nation. You can check out the details at http://www.iceman.com/. I pedaled for approximately 2 hours and 46 minutes non stop through hills, trees, sand, etc… I lost about 5 to 6 pounds of body weight while drinking 64oz of fluids. I placed 38th out of 93 in my wave. During the last couple miles I was mentally exhausted and was telling myself it was good to do once but I’d never do it again. About 2 hours after the finish I started to reflect back on some of the fun portions of the race. The next day I came up with a list of things I could’ve done better and thought I’d like to do it again next week to try and better my time. It amazed me how quickly I forgot about the pain and suffering that I experienced and how much satisfaction was felt by finishing the race.

Being a follower of Jesus has some parallels to the Iceman. Jesus said that if we follow Him we will suffer. This is not our home and we won’t be comfortable or at total peace until we are with Him in heaven. Paul says in Romans 8:18 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

Please understand that life is hard and suffering prevails for now. But, there is a day coming when those who have confessed their sin and turned to Jesus for salvation will no longer suffer but praise God in heaven where no sin exists and no tears are shed. Also, please understand that we only have one life to live. Life isn’t like the Iceman where you can have a second chance next time around and try and better your time. We are only given one life to live. The Bible says in Hebrews 9:27 “man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” I pray that when you face the judgment your sins will be found paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ.