A few days ago, I finished riding in another Cape Argus Cycle Tour, a 110 km ride with 30,000 other riders over the breathtaking scenery of Cape Town.
This year we were thrown a curve ball with 40 kph (20 mph) headwinds on the “easier part” of the course.
You had to work much, much harder to achieve the same result.
About 65km in my legs were screaming and mentally I was wondering if I would make it. My goal was not to stop at all in hopes of breaking my personal best time.
I saw myself fading and made a decision to make an adjustment to plans, pulling into a rest stop for a quick banana and beverage break. I was back on my bike in 6 minutes.
The last part of the race included the two most difficult climbs. In a weakened state, I knew I needed to stay the course and keep my legs churning.
James speaks of staying the course as well, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life…” (James 1:12 ESV)
The Message says it this way, “Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.”
While I would not call a bike race the same as a trial, the principle of endurance and remaining steadfast stays consistent.
It turns out the short detour to the rest station gave me the physical and mental boost I needed to stay the course and finish with a personal best time. I had to make an adjustment to the original plan, but needed to grind out in endurance to make the ultimate goal. Finishing with my personal best time which I just made.
90% of the Cape Argus race is to keep pedaling, this will overcome obstacles that come your way.
It’s that way in life too. Most of the success in life comes from staying the course.
Slow and steady does win the race.
In marriage, we should look for those who are steady, not the man or women of the moment. The looks, the fashion, and the bodies will all fade. But stability does not.
Life and ministry is a marathon, not a sprint. We must stay the course in order to finish well. It’s not often glamorous, but it is the key to success in so many areas of life.
Just don’t quit.