Tough Mudder

Throughout the course each participant has to crawl through mud, over huge obstacles and even through a stage with live electrical currents.

1 Chronicles 5:1-26

Reference: The Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 men ready for military service—able-bodied men who could handle shield and sword, who could use a bow, and who were trained for battle. (1 Chronicles 5:18 NIV)

Explore: A friend of mine is doing an extreme physical challenge called Tough Mudder. This event includes a “hardcore 20 km-long obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie.”

Throughout the course each participant has to crawl through mud, over huge obstacles and even through a stage with live electrical currents. The long distance is one thing, but the obstacles are another!!

While my friend is not putting knives into toasters to train for that particular experience, she is hitting the gym hard to get herself physically ready.

Two hours a day she has dedicated to get herself in top shape so that she can give of her best throughout the event. While I think she is slightly crazy, I have to admire her dedication and commitment.

Application: A small percentage of people are naturally gifted to do everything. The rest of us need to train and work hard to accomplish anything! I don’t think, however, that’s such a bad thing.

We learn so much more than a practical skill when we endure training. Throughout the process we build dedication, commitment, resilience and passion. There are times when more is learned in the training than in the actual event or job we are training for.

When the descendants of Gad went to battle they had thousands of men to add to the army. However, it mentions that they were all trained and ready for battle.

By the grace of God they won the battle, but they also did their training so that they were ready for what was ahead. There are times when I’d like God just to hand me an experience on a silver platter, and yet, my experience shows me that God honours the training and dedication we put into extending ourselves.

What do you dream of accomplishing? Are you working hard towards it or are you just expecting it to knock on your door one day?

Let’s not tire of preparing ourselves for opportunities that lie ahead. Let’s prepare ourselves for the important battle we are committed to fight.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we get tardy in our preparations. We know that You can make all things possible, but may we not use that knowledge to excuse our laziness. Give us Your strength and determination. Amen.

What do you dream of accomplishing? What are you willing to do, in preparation, to get there?

1 Chronicles, battle, dreams, goals, preparation, training