Dear Rose Park,
In just over a month, I’m going to participate in the Steelhead Ironman 70.3 Triathlon in Benton Harbor, MI. The triathlon consists of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride, and a 13.1 mile run. I’m going to be competing with my older brother Matt; this was something we were supposed to do last year but because of the pandemic the race was postponed. Needless to say, I’ve been spending my early mornings on the road either running or biking and it’s given me plenty of time to think and even reminisce on past races.
One triathlon sticks out in particular. It was my very first triathlon and it was held in Okoboji, IA. I can remember feeling completely exhausted during the run. It was hot, humid, and the course was very hilly. As I endured the last few miles, I noticed a young boy on the side of the road holding a sign that said, “touch here for power”. I had to smile as I noticed runners ahead of me touch the sign as they went by. The child beamed with pride and smiled as he noticed the impact he had on the runners. As I ran by, I touched the sign and said, “thanks for the power buddy” and as I ran by I heard the small voice behind me shout “you’re welcome!”
Touch here for power. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a sign we could touch for power when life became difficult? When the relationships are struggling, the cancer is growing, and the job prospects are looking bleak wouldn’t it be nice to be able to draw upon some heavenly power? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a group of people cheering us on as we journeyed through life? When the darkness of grief is growing and the loneliness of losing a spouse is building wouldn’t it be nice to have a cheering section? Wouldn’t all of that be nice?
But the reality is, we do. We do have something we can draw heavenly power from when life is filled with both joy and despair. We have the Word of God. We have the written word of God in the bible and we have the Word of God made flesh in Jesus Christ. We also have a people that cheer us on as we journey through life. We have the Church. We have the local community church of God and we also have the global Church of God to come alongside and support us in our walk of faith.
I hope you know the awesome and unfathomable power of God that is given to us in His Word and I hope you know the faithful and unwavering support of His people in the Church. If you don’t, I’d invite you to join us at Rose Park Church and let me introduce you to a few friends of mine.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Mark