"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved" (Matt 24:13)

I rode in a bike race yesterday. It was 55.6 miles long~ and it was long. There were other people who rode in the century ride, but I had only signed up for the 50 mile ride. There were times it was very difficult. There were times when I was really having a lot of fun and enjoyed the scenery and all the things around me. At other times, when there were major hills (3 miles long on a 6% grade and then immediately followed by another hill!) I really would have rather been back down on the nice rolling hills. When I finished I was so exhausted! At first I was just so glad that I was done. But as I time passed and it really sunk in that I had completed, finished, and endured a race I am so proud of myself! I did it!!! I did a really hard thing and I didn't give up. Enduring was worth every hard spent minute on that bike.

Life is a lot like a bike race. There are smooth, down hill parts and there are uphill parts that really test our stamina and strength, both our physical as well as spiritual strength. There are so many scriptures that testify of the blessings of enduring and the rewards that come from enduring, "however long and hard the road" (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland). "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved" (Matt 24:13). "But blessed are they who are faithful and endure, whether in life or in death, for they shall inherit eternal life" (D&C 50:5). "And if thou endure it well, God shalt exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph ever all thy foes" (D&C 121:8).

One of the things that will help is to not compare races. I only signed up for the 50 mile race and I can't compare myself to those people who had trained, committed, and prepared themselves for the 100 mile race. Remember what is required of us is to be faithful (see1 Cor. 4:2). We don't need to worry about judging others or ourselves. That is Christ's job. Our job is to keep the commandments and endure to the end.

Enduring is a blessing with untold rewards. Just as I finished that race that was quite difficult, there are tasks in our lives, or trials and challenges that will test us to our limits. But as we endure them, we will feel the power and love of the Savior increase in our hearts and minds. We become stronger and more powerful than we were before. I have endured challenges and I am so grateful for them, for the strength that I was blessed with to endure them and also for how much stronger I have become from them. They were once a challenge, but have since become great blessings. I am not saying I would want to go through them again just as I am not ready to go out and ride 55 miles again right now, but I finished! I did it! I did what was asked of me and what I committed to doing. I testify that as you endure it well and complete the "race" that is before you, you will feel a sense of accomplishment that can't be compared to anything earthly. It is all worth it.