Pedal to the Metal

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4 ESV

Recently, I was invited by a friend to try a spin class.

A spin class, if you don’t know, is a group of individuals sitting on stationary bikes, riding like there’s no tomorrow. In other words, it’s a cardio workout x’s 100! I’m in alright shape, but WOW, I was not prepared for this….

15 minutes into the class, and I felt like I was going to be sick. Eventually, I had to take a break; so I went to the bathroom to throw cold water on my face.

Once I was back with the group, I pathetically asked my friend “How long is this class?”. Trying to encourage me, she says “We’re half-way there, just pedal slowly, you don’t have to keep up with everyone”.

I started praying “God pa-pa-pa-please help me get through this class, I don’t want to be a quitter and leave, I can do all things with You, God!”. Soon enough, I heard the instructor say “You’re half way there guys, don’t give up.”

I locked my eyes on a woman named “Rosa”; she was so strong, and her strength and ability inspired me to keep on pedaling. I started paying closer attention to the instructor’s words as he was encouraging his class; letting us know we were almost done, we were almost to the finish line.

Just as he said this, the entire class kicked into high gear. It was then that I realized; this group has run this race before. They know and trust the instructor, and they’ve learned how to remain steadfast in this race, conserving their energy for when they need it most.

We go through trials in our lives, and we will forever encounter trying times.

I’ve asked myself before; would it be easier to endure if we knew that the trial was temporary?

Would we give it our best and pedal our little hearts out if we knew that we were almost done, and just about to claim our blessing?

Well my friends, we do have that promise.

We know that for every trial, every hurt, every trying time in our life, we’re about to be blessed like we can’t imagine! When we are pushing through, we should call out to our Father for help!

And just like spin class experts, I think we have our mentors, our experienced/seasoned angels that have been through so much in their lives that they do breeze through them, because they know, that it’s not going to last forever, and that their blessing is going to be great.

We should look at the “Rosa’s” in our lives and be encouraged to keep on keeping on!

Take a moment today to reflect on those that inspire you to remain steadfast in your trials, and thank God for them. Ask the Lord to meet you where you’re at and give you the strength you need to carry on.

Guest devotion by Olivia Cooper. Olivia is a 35 year old work in progress…… So happy that God uses me to encourage others! Learn how you can become a guest writer here.