• http://lockwoodchurch.org/media (Listening Time:25:19)

George Hood of Naperville, Illinois, a 62-year-old former Marine, just set the endurance record for holding a plank. The plank, an isometric exercise which strengthens the abdominal muscles, is like a pushup, except one rests on one’s forearms and holds that isometric position. I can hold a plank for about a minute. George Hood held it for eight hours, 15 minutes, and 15 seconds.

The former Marine trained for years to set the record. He did 4 to 5 hours a day in a plank position, performed 700 pushups a day, 2,000 sit-ups, and 300 curls. He eventually became strong enough to hold an 8-hour plank.

Some things require strength. In Ephesians 3:14-21, the Apostle Paul surprises us with the revelation that it takes strength to grasp (and, I suppose, hold onto) the love of Christ. Grasping the love of Christ is more important and brings better results than holding an 8-hour plank and – here’s the thing – together we can become strong enough.