Endurance despite Resistance

     Roadblocks are common in life and in ministry. Often we have to decide what are we going to do when they arise. How will we trust the Lord in the roadblocks of ministry that look like the impossible? How will the Lord continue to lead and guide despite the physical things we might see? A clear mindset is helpful in both ministry and everyday life.
     In the sport of cycling if you want to get faster, stronger and overall in better physical shape you will need a clear mindset that you want to do this or you will not last in your aspiration to move forward.  To become faster, you need to become stronger and get a bicycle that requires less energy to move forward.  To do that you will need a lighter bicycle which also has components that cause the glide factor to improve: tires, correct pressure in the tires, great bearings, efficient shifting etc.
     Know that there will be road blocks along the way. Some road blocks which tend to interfere with moving forward efficiently are steep road grade, bad road surface, potholes, oncoming motor cycles in your lane, dogs sleeping on your path or chasing your bike, broken glass on the road etc.
     Once you think you have it all figured out and have some level of success with speed, you run into another problem: wind resistance.  Wind resistance is not an issue at a slow speed but becomes an issue at a higher speed.
     So it seems that after much preparation of self and equipment there is always more that could be done to improve speed and efficiency. I was reminded this week that to do well spiritually and in ministry, we come across many roadblocks and encumbrances.  
     To become stronger, just like in cycling, we need a clear mindset that we want to do this.  Our equipment is our Bible, quiet time, fellowship group, mentor and friends etc. If we are unwilling to put in the required time, sweat, pain sometimes to the point of nausea, we will not become strong and we will not go far.
     Roadblocks and other encumbrances too will need to be overcome.  Sometimes friends, addictions, laziness, family or our church stand in the way to be fully obedient. What is the wind resistance that is slowing down our quest to ramp up our spiritual life, our ministry efficiency or to become all that God has created us to be?
     Wind resistance will never be an issue for the doddlers that are drafting behind someone else.  But if we want to move forward with urgency, ahead of the general pack, we will need to step out of line. May this be our prayer “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)”