“Hard times create strong men.  Strong men create good times.  Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”

-G. Michael Hopf, Those Who Remain

We live in an interesting era in which people will spend more time and energy trying to get AI to perform a task on their behalf rather than just figure it out for themselves.  And maybe that’s why I love coaching Distance Runners…there just simply isn’t any substitute for consistency, dedication, and entering the Pain Cave on a regular basis if you’re going to run somewhat fast for an uncomfortably long time. 

And there is an interesting section in Jeremiah Chapter 48 where the catastrophe of chronic complacency and comfort is highlighted as God pronounces judgment on Moab.  Verse 11 says this:

“Moab has been at ease from his youth and has settled on his dregs; he has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, nor has he gone into exile; so his taste remains in him, and his scent is not changed.”

I don’t know what the current process of winemaking looks like, but during the time of Jeremiah’s prophetic ministry, they would leave the grape juice in a wineskin until the dregs, or residual sediment, settled at the bottom of the vessel.  Then, they would pour the liquid into another vessel and repeat the titration process until the wine was purified and separated from the bitter and texturally repulsive dregs.  If any shortcuts were attempted in the purification process, a tainted beverage would result.  I’m not a wine guy, but I know that a mouthful of coffee grounds can ruin my morning pretty quickly; I figure this would be a similarly devastating experience!

But unless you’re emptied from vessel to vessel, the sediment of sin will insidiously weaken your heart.  Trials are often the most profound catalyst for spiritual growth, and without the refinement of tribulations, we start to settle into an insipid state of complacency.  Mold of mediocrity gradually overwhelms the self-satisfied soul.  And if you’re not pursing progressive sanctification, your dregs of apathy will drag others down with you on a path that leads to destruction.

Do hard things.  Embrace The Suck.  Taking up your cross on a daily basis isn’t meant to be easy.  But the One who went to the ultimate Pain Cave on your behalf and defeated the power of sin and death can help you accomplish what would otherwise be impossible.  And we can trust that He will continually refine us during our earthly race until we arrive on the Heavenly Podium of perfection😊