The Christian triathlete, lesson number 1

March 22, 9:06 PMChristian Worldview ExaminerBill Belew

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I almost remember when I came across this nugget during my triathlon training days. Though I don't remember the exact time, I do remember I laughed out loud. Reading it now made me laugh out loud again.

If you can't swim you drown.

Obvious indeed. But, in truth not all that obvious.

Some folk think that if they can swim, they can swim 1500 meters, or 2.4 miles or whatever the distance might be. Not so.

If you get tired when you run, you walk. If you get tired on the bike, you fall over. If you get tired when you are swimming and can't go on, you sink. And from there, it can get pretty ugly.

There are three disciplines in triathlete and the participant must be capable in all three to complete the event. Each must be trained and mastered if the participant wants to compete or win.

It reminds me of the 9 fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-25 - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control

I don't think that we will sink or even be disqualified if we fail to mature in any of the fruit, but being really bad at any one of them can be pretty bad form...and, well, maybe even enough to disqualify the Christian.

At any rate, I know what it takes to train in three disciplines now. I aim to apply the same lessons to grow in all aspects of my Christian life, including but not only the Fruit of the Spirit.