Walk the Walk: in the face of adversity

I find it amazing how many parallels there are between my Walk the Walk training and the challenges we face at NightShift – life in general. Every time I lace up either at the track or at the gym, I am reminded how difficult it is to stay faithful to my commitment – at the gym, on the track and in the ministry – especially when life gets in the way. I’m often tired. I admit the going is rough. Too often I want to dive for cover and escape with a good book.

“Core Time – All The Time” “Head/eyes up” “Breathe – in through the nose, out through the mouth” “Don’t give up” “Can’t does not belong in training” “Just five more” “Stop whining”

…words that ring in my ears as I start my first lap around the track. I call them Carl C-isms. Carl C, my trainer, throws them at me on a regular basis to encourage me to push through and press ahead – even when it hurts. At the moment, it hurts at the ministry. Over the last week, we’ve lost beloved members of our street family – a hit-and-run death, a drug overdose, a relapse sliding into addiction and jail, cancer with 12 months’ to live. It hurts…to the core. I had a revelation tonight as I pushed through my training regime. I didn’t feel like it. But as I held firm to each lap, I was reminded of what ‘Core Time – All The Time’ means beyond my training regime. Balance. Strength. Christ. Christ is my core – All The Time. I acknowledge that with consistent training and sheer determination I will be ready for the Walk the Walk. But when faced with life challenges, adversities, death and eternity stuff, I can’t make it on my own. Not one step. Not one heartbeat without my Core. My Strength. My Christ. “Christ in me – the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:24-29) Adversity wants to wrestle me to the ground every day. I can’t give in to it. I can’t give up. Nor should you!