stam·i·na
‘stam?n?/
noun
the ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort.
“their secret is stamina rather than speed”
synonyms: endurance, stayingpower, tirelessness, fortitude, strength, energy, toughness, determination, tenacity, perseverance, grit
Last weekend, my squad and I took a three hour bus ride to Sigchos, Ecuador to hike the Quilotoa loop. We took off on foot with our daypacks, couple of snacks in hand, and 25 miles of backcountry ahead of us from the Panamericana to the Cotopaxi province . Along the way, we encountered ancient trails, a crystal-blue lake, and Kichwa-speaking indigenous people with their centuries-old way of life. The hike was absolutely amazing and an adventure that I highly recommend to anyone who ever gets the opportunity to visit Ecuador. On my journey, God showed me the vastness of His creation, but this time He redefined the meaning of stamina in my life as well.
For as long as I can remember, stamina is a characterisitic that has been engrained in me, deep down inside my bones. I credit this to the countless years of soccer, growing up in a family that taught me to perservere during the tough times, and the saying of “you can do anything that you set your mind to.”
Going into this hike, I looked at it as another opportunity to see how far I could physically and mentally push my body. I really was not worried at all about what was ahead because of the drive within me, knowing I could complete it. I hate to admit this, but I had a sense of arrogance about it all and I could not wait to reap the reward at the end seeing the breathtaking view of that crater lake.
Our second morning there, during an early morning devotional, I began to ponder about that first day. I thought of how I powered through and made it to the top but it did not feel victorious because my fellow teammates were still treking below. Afterall, we agreed to do this hike together, as a team (squad). I felt convicted that I had become more focused on getting to the top and doing whatever it took to get there and in doing so, I lost sight of the opportunities around me. What about my brothers and sisters around me who weren’t up for a hike like this? Or the conversations that could be had if we did it with one another? Or the breathtaking views? Or the little children we could meet along the way?
On day 2, I decided to change gears, take it slow, and open my eyes to everything around me. Those last two days were the most enjoyable for me because I still had my stamina but I was using it as the Lord told me to. I had meaningful conversations, saw breathtaking views, and even had time to make flower necklaces for the cuties walking home from school in the Andes.
Since the hike, I have been pondering on my soccer days and what it took to be successful. A successful athlete needs training. Discipline. Focus. Persistence. Perseverance. Motivation. Athletes need stamina. They need to build up their oxygen levels so that they can run and not grow weary, walk and not faint. This requires discipline and diligence. Keeping on when you want to stop.
And that’s when I heard God say, “My darling, you are so disciplined when it comes to your physical fitness but what about your spiritual stamina?” Initially, this felt like a punch to the gut but it was not said in a condemning way but more as an invitation to grow deeper in my relationship with Him. Why is it so easy for me to wake up and go on a run at 5am or sprint to save a ball about to go out of bounds in the last minute of a game? Why can’t I incorporate this into my spiritual life? “Oh but you can my darling and you are.”
Just as an athlete needs to build up their muscles and aerobic fitness, developing the strength and stamina for the endurance needed, we also need to stretch our faith, our devotion, our obedience, and skills. We need to stretch our minds and muscles, escape from comfort zones and persevere – keep on keeping on – fighting the good fight of faith.
Physical training, after all, is of some value, but spiritual training is of value in every way. I feel closer to God when I am outdoors, when I serve others and give proper priority and added time to reading, study and education. I can’t do these things all the time, but I know they help me as I try to discipline myself toward deeper spiritual formation.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Cheers,
Kels
