I learned something from the gym.
I am going to the gym, expecting to fail. I feel good about it.
What?
Why would I expect and be happy about failing?
Yes, that is the best way to train.
Let’s say I can do a bench press with 30kg. And I can do it comfortably. Then there is no growth.
I would do 2 sets with 30 kg. On the 3rd set, I would add 10kg and lift 40kg.
I know I would not make all 8 reps. I know I would fail in the middle.
By the 4th rep, my hands shake… hard to hold onto the bar. I stop and breathe heavily. I want it because that prepares me for the next time to lift 40 kg for 6 reps and eventually 8.
And repeat…
Do you see, when it comes to building muscles we understand this?
But when it comes to life, we expect to be in a cozy zone.
Why is that? Why fear?
What is faith?
I saw a dad running behind his young daughter. She was learning to ride a bicycle.
The dad never left his daughter alone, he was running behind her. As I was looking, the daughter fell losing her balance. The dad rushed and picked her up. And the daughter got up and again rode the bicycle. She looked to the side just to make sure her daddy was running beside her.
That is exactly what faith is. I expect to learn new things, I might fail and fall, but my DADDY is running beside me. HE said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
I turn to look left at my DADDY running on my left and I turn to my right I see my elder Brother JESUS the firstborn, running on my right. My confidence is through the roof. I can do all things through Christ who empowers me. I have no fear. My faith is through the roof. My DADDY and my Brother JESUS are with me. I am a child. Adopted into sonship and daughtership. I am a child.
Here is the kicker I choose to obey them. If they say “enough, come now and rest” I choose to stop and turn around and go back home to sleep on them.
They direct my life. Yes, my desire. Father help me be this child forever obedient to your Word.
And this is my prayer for all of you too, that you (plural) are a child and would know HIM as Father. “Appa FATHER” is not a fancy word but is about a real, deep personal relationship.