No Turning Back

My son, Ethan, and I decided a few months ago that we wanted to try something new. So before we could talk each other out of it, we signed up. The only problem was, neither of us had access to water to practice swimming, no bikes to train on, and we both hate running. This made perfect sense. We proved the law of the 5 P's: Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. All I can say is we finished. 

It was about three minutes into the swim in the Atlantic when I realized how dumb it was. Actually, it was 30 minutes before when I realized most everyone was in a wetsuit and goggles, and we were there in board shorts and flip-flops. Yup, about three minutes in, the script flipped from a physical activity to mental. While the fear of drowning and getting kicked again by other swimmers kept my feet moving, it was my mind that kept saying, just keep going, don't quit, no turning back.

After stumbling out of the water like a wounded seal, we jumped on the bikes. This part was actually fun, as I had never ridden a road bike before that had 40 gears and could go so fast! It was work, but at least there was a nice cool breeze and a new experience. I am curious, however, what bike manufacturers have against padded seats. Hopping off the bikes to do the run, I realized that somewhere along the ride, without me noticing, God swapped out the bones in my legs for jello. Add that to the punishing Florida sun and dense humidity, and we were back in a battle of the mind. One street sign at a time, just keep your feet moving, don't quit, no turning back.  

The whole experience was a little like life in general. Some parts are a breeze, and others we just try to keep from drowning. Most people don't know what they are capable of and shy away from hard things because, well...they are hard.  

"So they took Jesus away. Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). There they nailed him to the cross." (John 9:17-18)

I think about Jesus, carrying that cross. Blood pouring out of the wounds in his head, splinters digging into his shredded back, and people mocking and spitting at him...just keep moving, no turning back. He loves you and me so much that he not only told us we are capable of more, but he showed us. He demonstrated what perseverance, finishing what you start, and loving unconditionally look like. Just keep moving, no turning back.

Whatever cross you are carrying, just keep moving.

Whatever challenge you are facing, just don't quit. When stuck in the middle of a choice to move on or to throw in the towel, no turning back. If Jesus can bear the weight of the world on his nail-pierced hands, what can we not do for each other, for our families, for our teams, for Him? Just keep moving, don't quit, no turning back.