I was a gymnast growing up. The beam was the footboard of Mom and Dad’s king-size bed and my routine always ended with an awesome dismount. My floor routine was performed in the front yard. I was Nadia Comaneci—Olympic gold medalist. Oh, I practiced alright but I didn’t have the perseverance and determination to really be a champion. I realized that they developed their abilities through rigorous training, which is what sets the athletes apart from the spectators. I was a spectator.
It’s the same with spiritual strength and agility. They come only through practice, and daily discipline, and reading, and studying His Word. And just like the athlete, we can motivate ourselves to continue in disciplined routines by looking forward to our reward, in both this life and the next! Results might not happen overnight but as we keep practicing these disciplines each day, we will reap the benefits which will include a closeness with our Lord Jesus, joy, peace that passes all understanding, loving relationships, AND an abundant life. There may be times of disappointment; and you may grow weary and want to throw in the towel. We will win some battles and lose some while we strive to achieve wholeness. We may get discouraged when we don’t see any progress even though we have been working and training hard. But if we keep on and persevere through it all…we can maintain the ground we have gained!
Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives tales. Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value but spiritual exercise is much more important. For it promises a reward in both this life and the next.
1 Timothy 4:7 and 8
Friends, we are training for a marathon called ‘Your Life.’ You only get one shot at this race though. What are you doing to make sure you finish strong? Are you a willing participant or a spectator?
Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. And as Christ’s soldiers, do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the One Who has enlisted you in His army. Follow the Lord’s rules for doing His work, just as an athlete either follows the rules or in disqualified and wins no prize.
2 Timothy 2:3-7
Like a soldier, we are in a war that we can win only if we fight to the end. Like the gymnast, we must train for a new way of life and keep running the race to the finish line. We must do this work in every season and wait patiently until we see growth. If we stop before we reach the end, we may lose it all—everything we have trained so hard for.
Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs but only one person gets the prize? So run to win. All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise I fear that after teaching others, I myself might be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
All activities require endurance and strict discipline, especially for those who want to win. Paul makes it clear that if we want to grow in our relationship with Jesus, we must stay focused on the goal. We must give up destructive activities that might slow us down. Recognize this won’t always be easy, but it will always be worth it! Persevere toward the eternal goal and your trophy will come in the form of God’s power and freedom from any chains that may bind.
I challenge you today to re-read these verses…put them on notecards…place them where they will be seen daily. Remind yourself that no matter what you’re facing , it will all be worth it when you cross that finish line, see His arms wide open and He says the words you’ve longed to hear—“Well done, My child; welcome home!”
*****
Let’s Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We praise You for loving us. We thank You for giving us an instruction manual, our “fitness guide.” Fill us with an overwhelming desire to train ourselves, to daily stay in close contact with You, our Trainer. Lord, we may get tired and we may stumble, but I pray that we just get stronger and more determined to finish this life strong and love well and have faith abundant. Help us to always encourage each other and to never give up on ourselves and may we constantly lead others to You until that day when You take us home to You. For it is in Your Son’s name,
Amen
About Kim Spring
Great study today, Kim, thank you. A portion of Scripture came to my mind, “…as you see the Day approaching.” I found it in Hebrews 10:19-39. It is a call to persevere, to draw near to God through sanctification, to hold steadfast in our hope in Christ, and to remain in fellowship with other believers–as we see the Day of Christ’s return is nearing. Verse 35 & 36 say, “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” It is a daily choice and not an easy one, but well worth it in the end. Never give up, because The King is coming!
Amen!! Thank you for the verses. Our God is amazing!
g’morning, kim! thank you (and thank you, teresa!!!) for giving us such encouraging reminders about this race we are in. somedays seem like i am the turtle in the race…just plodding along…slow and steady. but i trust that God honors faithfulness! other days, doesn’t it seem like we are just hitting our stride and moving along eager to be in His Service? thanks again for your encouragement! it must be the cheerleader (more active service) in you, kim! <3
I do love me some cheer leading. I feel like I’m on His squad. He’s an amazing trainer!
The thought I had was that we usually do not like our trainer very much (at least in the beginning). They ask us to “change” the things we love, “learn” new disciplines that are good for us and our health and “push” through the pain when we reach our limits. We HATE the trainer at that point. BUT…after a few weeks of practice we begin to desire the burn and the new body we are developing. Those muscles make us stronger and able to endure our life a little better. People begin to notice.
We feel the same way about God. He asks us to remove the bad habits and the wrong thinking that affect our hearts. He wants to teach us a better way and we fight against the change. When the struggle becomes real we want to run the other way and God says “Push Forward”. BUT…when we are on the other side of the struggle, we are in such awe at the person we have become through Christ. We have been made stronger and people notice.
Our relationship with God is a lot like our relationship with that physical trainer. In the end, we realize the source of our change and that person becomes dear to us. They hold a special place in our hearts and lives that no other person can fill.
I love your heart, little gymnast. 🙂
Thank you Teresa. I needed this. Right now my Trainer is pushing extra hard and I’m tired but it’s for my own good. And I’m able to handle so much more!
Love this ♡♥♡ isn’t God amazing.
I love Kim!!
Yes, I do!
I love Kim!
How ’bout you!?
(Sorry but the cheerleader in me just had to come out!! hahaha!” Seriously, thank you Kim for this…I’ve read it now twice and as I lace up my tenni shoes to go for a run, I will be prayerfully pondering it! Love you. Love our Lord. And love that we are in this race together!
We give up so little to have so much…isn’t that what life with Jesus offers. Changing our hearts and maintaining those changes takes serious discipline. God knew we where made for this that’s why he chose us. For we were all born for such a moment as this. As our time has come. We must possess the spiritual strength to overcome our challenges, laying our faults on the altar and giving our lives to the Lord.
Amen and amen Anne. Lay your faults at the altar!!
Thanks Kimberly.. what a little cheerleader you are.. you have always been a cheerleader for God…
What a great blog, Kim, and Teresa’s comments – along with the lesson – just teach so much! Thank you both for all the ways, you lead us, encourage us, and cheer us on. Love you both!
Love u too!! And thanks mom!
Praying I will always stay strong in this life’s race and while running each day That I will bring others with me that I met and led to The Lord along the race! Thanks Kim, beautiful message today
Lets pray for each other! We all can and will stay strong in this race and we will all meet Him together!
Great post today. 1 Timothy 4:7-8 is DEFINITELY going in my journal. 🙂