Lets imagine, just for fun, someone wanting to get in shape by lifting weights...hold on...not the "fun" part yet. Now this person talks big about getting into shape and doesn't shut his yapper about it. So as you watch him work out (which is a little weird that you're watching but he has a big mouth), the second he puts any weight on the bar he lifts it up an inch and for a split second, grimaces in pain, drops the weight and jogs out of the gym. As confusing as that would be to watch, imagine that happens day after day after day. Stupid right?

Now take me (and maybe you)...all too often, I know the right thing to do and don't. Allow me to draw the connection to the goofy analogy above: As Christians we can talk "spiritually big" at small group or church BUT the second trials or tough times come into our lives we look for the exit door and/or pray for God to show us the way out with an ugly painful look on our face. Want to know what we're missing out on when we do that, me being at the front of that line, perseverance, endurance, proven character, and hope.

"...but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulations bring about PERSEVERANCE; and perseverance PROVEN CHARACTER; and proven character, HOPE;" - Romans 5:3-5

"Consider it all joy when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces ENDURANCE. And let endurance have its perfect result (ie - stop running out of the gym!) so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." - James 1:2-4

Please don't let the anology dumb down the intense importance of being in God's Word and living your life according to what He wants. Why is it I/we can so easily acknowledge working out to be strong BUT not persevering through the tests and trials God creates/allows in our lives to build us up in Him (Phil. 1:6). Keep praying, stay in God's Word and keep spiritually working out!

-- Skip Ast (the 3rd)