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