The secret to being a mudder

If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength! Proverbs 24:10

Are you a mudder?   A mudder is a term used to describe an athlete or a horse that performs well in adverse muddy conditions. How are you at handling pressure?   Are you able to up step up your game to meet the challenge?   Adversity and pressure is the true test of our strength and determination.

I am a huge Seinfeld Series fan.  In Season 3 there was an episode in which Kramer overhears two guys talking on the subway about a horse who is a 30-1 shot that they have inside information on.  Man #1:  This horse is a lock.  Man #2:  But it rained last night.  Man #1:  Exactly, this horse loves the slop, it’s in his blood lines.  His father was a mudder.  His mother was a mudder.  Man #2:  His mother was a mudder?  Man #1 What did I just say?

Bottom line, being a mudder is in the genes. I don’t know any other way to describe it.  If you’ve got “mudder” in your genes you’re a born overcomer.  You will slog through anything to come out a winner.

Back in the days before all-weather tracks, when I ran in high school and college, there were numerous opportunities to test the mudder genes.  While the determination of most was being dampened by the weather, a select few always knew how to leverage the muddy conditions to their advantage.  The old saying “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” really proved to be true.

My senior year in college at the University of Minnesota, we won the Big Ten Track and Field Championship in cold and rainy conditions on the old Memorial Stadium mushy cinder track.  (That’s me with the Adidas bag.)  Our one point victory over Michigan took several days to finalize as they had to review the film of the finish of the 220 yard dash.  The good ole Minnesota mudder genes prevailed however as our man got the nod.

Now the bible tells us that “those who do know their God shall be strong and do exploits.” (Daniel 11:32b)  In other words, and this is more important than any athletic contest, if you’re a child of God, born of the Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ, you’ve got “mudder” in your spiritual genes.  That makes you more than a conqueror through Him who loves you; and an overcomer in anything life throws at you.  Since God is for you, who can be against you?  His son Jesus died and rose again to conquer the greatest adversaries of all – sin and death.

One of the bravest overcomers I know is Tina Korsmoe. The Korsmoes are part of the Bridgewood family and she is in the second year of a battle against cancer.  She’s already fought one valiant battle and won but now is back on the operating table today with a mastectomy.  Please be standing with her and her family today in prayer.   And if you want to be inspired read her blog – Under the Oaks.   She is great testimony to the overcoming “mudder” Spirit that the Lord wants to release in all of us.