A New Day

By: Pastor Johnie Akers   

Romans 5:3, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also knowing that tribulation worketh patience.”  Christian author John Eldredge tells the story of a Scottish discus thrower from the 19th century. He lived days before professional trainers and developed his skills alone in the highlands. He made his own discus from the description he read in a book. What he didn’t know was that the competition discus was made of wood with an outer rim of iron. His discus was made of pure metal, four times heavier than the ones used by his would-be challengers. This committed Scotsman trained day after day, laboring under the burden of extra weight. He marked the record distance and kept working until he could throw that far.  Of course, when he arrived at the competition, he was handed the official wooden discus. He threw it like a tea saucer. He set new records and for many years; none of his competitors could touch him.  As Eldredge reflected on this story, he said, “So that’s how you do it—train under a great burden.”  Listen friend, training under a great burden is very unpleasant; it pushes us to our limits.  But ultimately, it produces perseverance, which produces strength and maturity, which culminates in victory.  The very burdens that press upon us to provoke us to crumble under the load are each day, as we bear them, building resolve in our character.  Notice our Scripture lesson today.  Paul writes, “Tribulation worketh patience.”  An abbreviated version could simply be—“Tribulation works.”  Athletes know the value of strength training by using weights.  Ankle weights, for example, are worn by athletes during running, so when removed in the day of competition, they can run farther, faster, and jump higher.  Burdens train us to endure, become resilient, and be strong.  Today, whatever burdens you are bearing, whatever load you may be under, please remember this—its training day; and the burdens that may seem to be your demise, will actually propel you to victory, as you face the challenges that await, with each new day.