Character Is Overrated

First of all, you know I don't really mean that character is overrated. It's been a tough twelve months or so, and I've been thinking maybe, just maybe, it'd be nice to have a season of calm waters and basking in the sunlight.

During our mid-week Bible study a few weeks ago, we studied this verse. I had to admit, it stepped on my toes a little.

It reminds me of my first spin class. I had no idea what the instructor was doing half the time. He told us to do pushups on the handlebars while our feet continued pedaling. I was pretty sure I was either going to have a heart attack if I didn't fly off the bike first.

I'm a stubborn person, and I needed some exercise, so I returned to class. Then I bought a membership package and went two or three days a week. A year later I not only kept up with the instructor, I managed to burn a lot of calories. I felt good after a workout.

Each additional class -- all the suffering -- built up my endurance.

The same is true in our spiritual life.

Suffering > Endurance > Character > Hope

The suffering doesn't feel all that great in the middle of it, but the hope it produces is unbelievable.

I'm still not sure I'm ready to ask God to bring on the suffering. As I said, it'd be nice to breath for a minute between rounds. But I trust He's building up my endurance and my character so that all I am and do points to the hope that rests in Him.

As usual for our weekly memory verse, you'll find the social media image and an image for your smartphone's wallpaper below.