Pushing Through Even When I Don’t Want To
This statue, honoring Veterans of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, is located at the Trailhead in Plummer, Idaho. It stands as a tribute to Native Americans who have persevered through centuries of cultural changes.
Guest Post by Stephen Robinson
Perseverance to Waco – Pushing Through Even When I Don’t Want To!
Saturday, September 3. 2022, 4:00 a.m.
The alarm on my phone wakened me abruptly from deep sleep! Oh, I am NOT looking forward to the training day, which lies ahead! Sliding out of bed, I hustled to gather my gear and head to the trail head in Plummer, Idaho, for a 112-mile bike ride and 40 minute run.
Remaining in bed this late summer Saturday sounded much better to my tired body and mind.
Driving to Plummer, I mentally prepared for the ride, glancing often at my left forearm. The tattooed word Perseverance in ancient Hebrew was inspired by one of my life verses, Hebrews 12:1:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,”
-Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
Hebrews, chapter 11 and 12:1, remind me of early Christian disciples who persevered through unimaginable persecution for their faith. They never wavered, despite many losing their lives as martyrs. Their devotion adds some perseverance perspective and fretting over a 6-hour bike ride seems pretty silly!
As Sue pointed out, Ironman isn’t for everyone. Many people think I am crazy for doing this, but I am competing in Ironman Waco to show my daughter's you can achieve your dreams with hard work and sacrifice.
No, I don’t enjoy getting up at 4 a.m. to train, in fact, as I get closer to race day, I find it harder to get up that early. But I keep persevering, pushing every day toward my goal:
Finish Ironman Waco, October 15, 2022.
You may not be training for an Ironman, but I am sure you have a dream in your heart, a goal to achieve in your life. Don’t let the opportunity to chase that dream or accomplish that goal pass you by.
We never know what tomorrow may bring, a reality I will share more about in my next post.
Blessings on your journey of perseverance!