For what are you training?
by Amey Edens
As I sit outside writing this article, I am taking advantage of soaking up some vitamin D on this beautiful fall day, which actually feels like summer. Speaking of summer, yes, it is over, but I am already looking forward to summer 2024. Why? Because the 2024 summer Olympics will be held in Paris, France and aired on television for the whole world to see. This is one of the activities my husband and I like to do together. If you know either one of us, you know we both are pretty competitive, so it is no surprise we enjoy the Olympics. There will be thousands of athletes in attendance for the 2024 Olympics. Can you imagine the intense training that is going on at this very moment, so these athletes are prepared for such an amazing opportunity? This is something they have spent the majority of their lives doing - training to win a gold medal.
When I watch these athletes perform during the Olympics, I often find myself thinking about the strict discipline and habits these athletes dedicate themselves to – the hours of training they put in, the focus on muscle recovery, nutrition, proper sleep, and the mental preparation that must take place for them to be on such a big platform representing their country and sport. To be disciplined takes focus, dedication, time, faithfulness, and perseverance. These athletes have their eyes fixed on the goal. They are chasing perfection to take home the gold.
As Christians, we too are on a platform representing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That poses a question for you and me. What are we chasing? Are we chasing the things of this world or are we chasing a righteous life that draws us close to God? How do we draw close to God if we are not being disciplined in our walk with God? Scripture tells us to “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8. Draw is an action word and requires us to do something in order to get close to God. He expects that of all believers, and this requires strong disciplines in our personal lives.
Do our daily habits and routines reflect strong disciplines that will draw us closer to God like these athletes who are disciplined to make these habits a priority in their lives? They know what is required of them to win a gold and guess what, so do we! God gave us Scripture on what disciplines we should have in our lives to become strong Christians to accomplish the goal. In Philippians 3:12-14, the Apostle Paul says, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
I am living my life to win the crown God has waiting for me, just like the Olympic athletes are living their lives to take home the gold. Training to win our victor's crown requires us to:
Exercise our heart. Pray, read, study, and memorize scripture. Proverbs 3:1-2, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.”
Discipline our mind. Romans 12:2 challenges us to be transformed by the word not conformed to the world.
Desire and develop a daily habit of spiritual nutrition of scripture. God commands this of us. In Deuteronomy 11:18 Moses recorded these words from God, “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.”
Rest in the Lord. Make it a habit to have quiet time with God daily. To hear from God, we must prioritize time alone at the beginning of our day. Mark 1:35 says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Luke 5:16 reminds us that “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Jesus modeled resting in God the Father before the business of the day began. So should we!
Run with excellence to the finish. Jesus said, in Revelation 2:10b, “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor crown.” The author of Hebrews reminds us to run with excellence for Christ when he states this in Hebrews 12:2, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
While athletes train physically to be at their best, believers are commanded to train spiritually to be at their best. Paul reminds us of this in 1 Timothy 4:7-8, “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” Let’s have stronger disciplines and chase the goal God has set before us! Decide today to make daily habits to exercise your spiritual muscle to receive the victor's crown.
