Last year it was sunny, dry and a high of 63. This year there was a blizzard and hail the night before. The temps were in the upper 20’s at the starting line the morning of the race. Part way through the race it warmed up to the upper 30’s which caused some of the snow to melt and made for very muddy conditions. Even though the conditions were much more difficult this year, I was (by God’s grace) able to knock 12 minutes off my time in a year that most racers added 10 minutes. I’m not saying this to brag but to make the point that proper physical training and preparation can help a person perform. My training for this year involved over 800 miles of mountain bike trails, many crashes and some nutrition changes. I did well but all the Glory Goes To God. What’s also encouraging is that even though I moved up 460 places there was a guy in the 70 year old and older class who beat me by 1 minute. Hopefully I’ll be able to beat his time when I’m 70 :-).
In a similar way, spiritual training helps a person prepare for their eternal home. I Corinthians 9:24-25 says “ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” In the Iceman I didn't win any prize except for a very fun experience. How much greater it will be when we get to heaven, after a life of spiritual training, and see the scene described in Revelations 4:9-11 "Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” God’s words always puts our purpose in the proper perspective. Let's never quit our spiritual training until we reach our final destination in God.
Here’s a video of me from the race and some audio from a woman who I think is the best and most supportive wife in the world.
