Years ago, I endured training to teach Les Mills Bodypump. “Endurance” is the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity. This pushed me to the limits and was definitely not easy! My training materials arrived about two weeks before the certification weekend. I immediately threw myself into training and all I could to ensure my success. It was grueling.
A BRUTAL SCHEDULE
That weekend, a small team from our gym traveled to the facility that was hosting the certification. We all felt a bit apprehensive. Our jitters were not unfounded. The trainer was a world-renowned gymnast and U.S. Master Trainer. The schedule was brutal.
ADDING THE WEIGHTS
I felt I needed to pull back the intensity just so I could make it through the weekend. My modifications gave me confidence that I could make it. After lunch, Mr. World-Renowned Trainer walked through our ranks, giving pointers and adjusting our form as he saw fit. I felt his eye on me as we curled our bars to the beat of the biceps track. He walked over and began adding weight plates to my bar as I was working. He told me to keep going. I was mad that he had the nerve to disrupt my plans to succeed with less pain. I battled with doubt in my abilities and feared being ashamed in front of the other participants.
PUSHING THROUGH THE PAIN
Incredibly, I made it through every workout and challenge. My muscles were involuntarily shaking, and I was exhausted, but I did it. Mr. World-Renowned Trainer saw something in me I couldn’t and challenged me. Knowing he believed in me didn’t magically take my self-doubt and fear of failure away. It made me want to try and push through the pain. His encouragement meant a lot.
GOD’S “WEIGHT PLATES”
In the years since, I have often felt weight plates added to the load God calls me to carry. I’ve doubted, cried, and accused Him of setting me up to fail more times than I care to admit. But God sees who He created me to be. All my days were written in his book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16). He knows I am weak and that His strength is perfected in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). His yoke is easy, and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). I can surrender to the challenge of His call on my life because my Trainer, Jesus, understands the weakness of my flesh. He has already won the challenge and risen as the champion over sin and death (Acts 2:22-24).
TRUST THE TRAINER
Where do you feel weight plates added to the load God calls you to carry? Where are you tempted to trust in your own strength? I invite you to trust The Trainer. He knows your weakness and wants to give you His strength.
This world is full of trouble. You may arrive at the end of your life with very muscle trembling, exhausted, and sore, but you will gain a crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8). When we are weak, His strength displays His power, His glory, and power to all the universe.