When Tests Turn To Testimonies
“Trials produce endurance,
endurance produces character, and character produce hope.” Romans 5:3-4
Tests come in all forms and fashions. On
the one hand, it can be as simple as the elementary school student
taking her first spelling bee. On
the other hand, it can be in the variety of spiritual, relational or
physical tests that take us to the brink of faith. But tests are always intended to bring an
outcome…and it’s always to grow us.
Gianni Poli of Italy won the 1986 New York
Marathon in 2:11:06. On March 2, 2003, Mark Yatich of Kenya won the Los Angels Marathon
in 2:09:52. However, the real hero of
both marathons was the man who finished dead last in both. He is fifty-seven
year old Bob Wieland. In 1986 he
finished the New York Marathon in a time of 98:48:17. His time in Los Angeles in 2003 was
172:45. On June 14, 1969, Bob lost both his legs in Vietnam. After his 2003 Los Angeles finish Bob, in
an Associated Press article entitled “Disabled Runner A Winner, Hands Down,”
gave this testimony, “This was not natural. This was supernatural. It was only
done by the grace of God.” Bob was a
combat medic in the twenty-fifth infantry division serving in Vietnam in
1969. In attempting to save a fallen buddy, he stepped on an 82-mm mortar round
designed to demolish tanks. He sent the following note to his parents: “June
fourteenth, nineteen sixty-nine. Cu Chi,
Vietnam. Dear
Mom and Dad. I’m in the hospital. Everything is going to be OK. The people here
are taking care of me. Love, Bob. P. S. I think I lost my legs.”
Between 1982 and 1986 Bob walked across America on his
arms in three years, eight months, and six days. He is the only
double amputee to complete the Ironman Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii,
without a wheelchair. To do so he had to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and
then complete a 26.2 mile marathon, all three events consecutively and
non-stop. Our late President Ronald Reagan proclaimed, “Truly, Bob Wieland is an
inspiration for all of us.” Bob Wieland is truly a prime example of
perseverance.
The greek word for “testing” is dokimion. This
is a term for the potter who puts his vessel into the fire and then takes it
out to inspect it to see if there is a crack. The cracked vessels were sold at a much reduced price. However, the
vessel that went through the fire and did not crack the potter would write
“da-key-me-on” which was a witness to all who would purchase the work, “It has
been tested by fire and did not crack.” In other words, it persevered and
endured the trial.
“Perseverance must
finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:4) Whatever
you face today, remember that He offers His strength to finish the course and
that He can take you through it with the purpose that we will grow from
it. You’ll be amazed what He can do with
a trial.
Terry Risser
Reflections
1) What is one of your most recently testing
seasons?
2) Can you think of something God is working in
you through it?
Consider reading the word today:
Copyright 2014- Terry Risser
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