Written By: Colbi Pickett | East Coast Girls Coordinator
Photo By: Scott Burchard

Before my surf trip to Bali, I spent about two months preparing.  Not just by getting things in order at home and work, but by intentionally preparing my body. I got into a routine of paddle training. Surfing wasn’t much of an option, since we were in the middle of a flat spell here in Florida, but I knew that nothing builds endurance in the water quite like being in the water and paddling.

I created a full routine because I wanted to be physically ready for whatever the waves at Bali might throw at me.

During the trip, I could tell the preparation paid off. I never once felt like my physical fitness held me back! This Florida surfer could hold her own in some seriously heavy swell!

That experience made me reflect on another kind of endurance: The kind I have (or sometimes lack) in my walk with Jesus. I didn’t want to be unprepared in the water, but what about on land…When I face temptation or spiritual attack? Is my spiritual endurance strong enough?

Now that I’m back from a trip that only lasted a few weeks, I’m choosing to put the same intentional effort into strengthening my spiritual walk. Physical training is good, but Spiritual training is essential. A surf trip comes and goes, but our walk with Christ is for life and eternity.

Romans 5:3-5

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s Love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”