Is Strength Inevitable?

I recently saw a popular post on social media that read, "Strength. An inevitable side-effect of effort." 

OKAY. Sounds good. Short. To the point. Strong. Inspirational. But at the risk of disagreeing with something that was so very popular, even loved, I have to ask...is it true?

Is strength inevitable?
Is growth guaranteed?
Is progress promised?

Shawn Thornton once said that while we represent Jesus on earth, Jesus represents us in Heaven. While we bleed for Him, He pleads for us. Despite our sin, He's our advocate, and He's never lost a case.

John Favel famously wrote, "They that know God will be humble. They that know themselves cannot be proud."

My blog won't reach millions. My post won't win awards for popularity. It won't draw crowds or summon much attention, but then again, I'm not pleading my case. 

Despite what the fitness industry will want us to believe, rewards of this earth are not inevitable; especially those that require our physical effort. That's not to say that strength, growth and progress aren't - at times and under certain conditions - byproducts. But they are - under every circumstance - on loan.

Temporary treasures. Perishable gifts.

The only sure thing about every aspect of our lives is Jesus, and the grace He gives our souls. May our response to that truth be inevitable.

Jimmy Peña

For Discussion: We don't always get what we work for, but we know for Whom we work. And that's far more motivating than the temporary, perishable outcomes that come from our puny physical effort. Anyone else find that comforting?