The Sullivan Triathlon is known for its windy race conditions. The winds have been so bad that they changed there logo to a cloud blowing severe winds on a group of cyclist. This was the location of the 2nd race of the WyldTri 2010 Season. While preparing for the race (the Sullivan Triathlon) I read several race reports and they all had one common thread. Great race but that wind is brutal. This year was no exception the winds were up to 20mph with 30mph gusts. It was so bad that the rain felt like sleet hitting my face. The wind does not bother me all that much anymore. There was a day that I would get so angry with the wind. Even to the point I would get so angry that I would yell at the wind. Just try and picture this crazy guy on his bicycle yelling at the wind. I can remember saying, are you ever gonna stop. Can I get just one easy day. I know as I write this I am finding this kinda comical in hindsight. I was so frustrated that I asked my friend and fellow triathlete Chris, "how do you cut through the wind like you do?" He then suggested that I re-route my bike rides so that when I am on my way back, the wind is at my back. I then asked why do you do it that way and he replied, "so when I am riding into the wind I just think about the reward of turning around and have the wind blowing on my back." I did do this for a while and it did work, but now I just ride my route and deal with it as it comes. Besides I agree with Chris on this, the wind only makes you stronger.
The Christian life is like this as well. When the winds of trials and tribulations come, it is God's way of making us stronger. You don't become a bodybuilder or even a triathlete without working out. It does not come over night, but by hard work. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (James. 1:3) God allows the winds to come and the storms to build, but hang on the rewards come at the end. Knowing that when we come out of that wind we will be a stronger person from it. Just like me riding in the wind makes me a better, faster, and stronger cyclist so does God's trials in our lives makes us a better Christian. I can look back at my Christian life and I see my victories and my failures but how it has changed me is what makes me who I am. Now I don't think so much about where I am going with my journey of faith, but more of where I have been. To see the Great work God has created in me. The lessons I have learned and the failures, and rewards have taught me even more than I could imagine.
So as you ride in to the figurative storms of life and the winds are blowing all around us. You might be only going 10mph. Even though you feel like that crazy cyclist riding in the wind yelling or asking God, "When will this all end"? Sometimes it gets so unbearable you just don't think you can make it. Hold on because the turn around is coming and so will the reward. Now we feel like the Disciples in the boat with the storm around them, but we rely on the Lord. We ask God to deliver us from this storm.(Mt. 8:23-27) Now we stand fast waiting for Jesus to deliver us, and calm the storm. Then we hit the turn around and it is time to go. Now the storm is gone and the wind is at your back. Look now your going 15,16,17,18 and now your pushing 20mph. the wind at your back and the breeze in your face. You feel like your flying and Superman has nothing on you. I know the feeling when those days that I am journeying through life and the wind is blowing right at me, and then other days when I feel like Jesus is literally carrying me. I doesn't get any better that this. So keep hanging in there and I hope you are enjoying my journey through life as a Christan Triathlete as we Stare at Lines.
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