The Finish Line

Holler!

For the past few DEVOs we have been featuring Ernie and the Ironman competition he participated in.  We have talked about his preparation, struggle, and effort; the only thing left to do is see if he crossed the finish line. 

His wife, Maggie, and the rest of us squirmed and squished our way through the throngs of other anxious friends and family hoping to get a glimpse of their loved one crossing the finish line. We all speculated as to what condition he would be in.  Would he be crawling? Walking? Lightly jogging? Throwing up? NONE OF THOSE! We spotted him as he was close to the end, and he was pumped up.  He ran right through the arch where the race ended and straight into Maggie's arms. A video camera was rolling, flash photography captured the exhilarating moment, and husband and wife exchanged a sweet sweaty kiss.  The kids huddled around their exhausted but happy dad, and amazingly Ernie stayed on his feet.    

Afterward, Ernie had a lot to say.  Some of it was scary to learn, and some of it was funny.  (At one point he needed to use the bathroom and did so while riding the bike.  Let's just say he wound up contaminating his drinking supply). Nevertheless, Ernie finished and he had the fatigue and battle scars to prove it, but he also had joy!  Kind of like the lives we all live.        

Some days are harder than others, and we feel like we have had the breath kicked out of us. We wonder if we will make it.  Other days are perfectly glorious, and we round each and every corner with a huge smile on our face.  But no matter what, there are two truths to keep in mind: Jesus is with us each step of the way, and just like Ernie, we will cross the finish line. 

2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
 

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, We are so glad to know You are with us all the time.  Remind us of this when we are struggling to breathe.  Help us to be grateful when our days are marked with nothing but happiness.  Help us to fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith! Most of all, thank You that the best is yet to come.  In Jesus' name, Amen!

Jesus, Strengthen Me

Philippians 4:13 "I can do everything through Jesus Who strengthens me." 

Greetings,

Today we pick up the Ironman story with the actual event itself.

Imagine hundreds of men and women, all eager/anxious participants, excitedly huddled around friends and families in the huge parking lot of Northshore Park where a 2.4 mile swim would kick off the grueling competition.  Now let me change the name from huddles to prayer circles because everywhere I looked folks were holding hands in public and inviting the greatest Ironman Who ever lived, JESUS, to be their Protector, Guide, and Encourager. 

Next thing we know the starter gun has gone off, and all the swimming cap-wearing competitors dive into the water.  It was breathtaking to see the synchronized bobbing heads.  Ernie's entourage and I headed back to the other side of the waterway where we would be able to walk alongside him for a few minutes as he swam to the transition point.  What we did not know was that a few minutes into the swim, Ernie got the breath kicked out of him by one or more of the hundreds of surrounding zealous swimmers vying for the best time.  He literally had to float on his back for 20 minutes.  Was Jesus with him giving him strength?

Ernie successfully transitioned into the bike ride, and a few hours later his kids spotted him.  They yelled for us to make our way down to a fenced area where Ernie would drop off the bike and then take off running. We were all there when a clearly exhausted Ernie staggered over to us.  And for a brief moment in time everything stopped.

He reached out to Maggie, his wife, kissed her, and said he was not sure he could continue.  His feet were in terrible pain, and admits he cried the last 50 miles of the bike race because of it.  We rallied around him, and somehow, someway, he dug deep, and off he went.  Was Jesus with him giving him strength?

At one point while we are waiting to see him during the run, Maggie says she and Ernie agreed that if he gave her a thumbs up it meant everything was fine.  She confided in me she was sure he would give the thumbs up no matter what to ease her worrying. But then we spotted him, and he gave a resounding and energetic thumbs up.  I told Maggie there was no way he could fake that joy, and it turns out I was right.  A few yards into the marathon, the foot pain stopped.  Did Jesus, indeed, strengthen him?

The answer, dear ones, is YES!  It would be a good idea for all of us to accept by faith that when we pray, whether or not we feel anything, God has answered and is with us.  That is why it is called faith. 

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, Strengthen our faith to believe that when we pray You answer us.  Give us strength for whatever we face today.  It is comforting to know we are never alone. In Jesus' name, Amen~

A Simple Admission

Galatians 3:9 "Those who have faith are blessed..."

Good morning!

Let us resume our Ironman tale.

The night before the Ironman competition, Ernie went to bed early; he would be taking  a 5AM shuttle the next day to get to the event.

But before he went to sleep something awesome and sacred and beautiful took place: Every single one of us there, eight in total, put our hands on Ernie and prayed.

Picture, if you can, this fit, buff, mega-tanned dude sitting in a floral patterned hotel chair with family and friends encircling him and eight strategically placed hands on his body.  Everyone was in agreement that what we were about to do was necessary and powerful.  We were going to call on the almighty God Creator of heaven and earth to protect Ernie, give him endurance, bless him, and honor him.

Making it even more special was that Ernie's two sons flew in that day to join us.  Both his boys were part of our circle of prayer, and simply said, " God, take care of our dad."  Their request was straight to the point and powerful, and it was the heart cry of everyone there. 

The question is, Did God answer?  Was our faith rewarded? Tune in next week...

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, Thank You that faith does not have to be complicated.  All You are looking for is honesty  -  a simple admission that we need You because there are so many things we cannot do for ourselves. 

Today we ask for You to fill us in each area of our life where we are lacking.  Some of us need rest.  Others need peace.  We all need joy and hope.  Bless us and honor us too. Help us, dear Lord, for only You can effectively fill these voids.  We are especially grateful that You receive, cherish, and welcome our faith. In Jesus' name, Amen!     

Iron Sharpens Iron

Happy Tuesday,

Next month marks the five-year anniversary of an Ironman competition that Jorge and I attended in Houston, TX.  It was the thrill of a lifetime for Jorge and me as we went there to support my cousin, Maggie, and her husband, Ironman Ernie. 

Ernie finished the 140.6 miles of swimming, cycling, and running in 12 hours 47 minutes.  Out of 3000 participants, he came in 797th.  THIS IS REMARKABLE!

It was beyond exciting to be there at the start, see him during the transitions, cheer for him and blow our elk horns when he made appearances at each eight-mile bend, and then finally and gloriously stand in awe as he crossed  the finish line. 

But allow me to elaborate in increments.  The Thursday night before the competition we all had dinner, and an amazing Bible verse just sort of popped into the conversation.

Proverbs 27:17

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. 

  

At the heart of this verse is that we cannot do life alone.  We need friends and family to encourage us, train with us, love us, keep us sharp and alert, point out dangers ahead...

Ask Ernie and he will tell you that even though he was willing to do the work, he had a whole team of support with him before, during, and after to make the Ironman a reality. 

Let us learn a lesson from Ernie today: Allow others to help you, and you will succeed. 

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, Thank you for family, friendships, unwavering support, love, and encouragement.  Thank You for reminding us today that Proverbs 27:17 is all about bringing out the best in each other even in grueling competitions.   Fill us today with Your love and inspire us to get out there and make a difference in someone's life.  In Jesus' name, Amen!