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7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 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. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
1 Timothy 4:7-10
I am not a runner. I never have been a runner. And now with 4 kids and a very busy schedule, I especially have a difficult time making space in my day to exercise in any way. And yet, I foolishly agreed to run a 5K with my friend in September. I agreed to this months ago. I registered months ago. Did I start running months ago? Of course not. I had good intentions. I knew I needed to start running so that I wouldn’t completely die, but life and other things got in the way. I didn’t make it a priority. It didn’t seem real. “The race is months away. I still have time.†I thought.
You runners out there are probably laughing at me right now, and rightly so. Foolish, foolish, Val. Training takes time. You need to work at it. You need to make it a priority. You need to put some effort in. You need to start small and build up your strength and endurance. And isn’t that the truth!
This passage from Timothy especially “hit†me as I returned from my run this morning. (I started running 3 weeks ago.) I am “laboring and striving†to run 3.1 miles and it took an upcoming race to make this training a priority. What about our faith life? Timothy says “godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.â€
There is promise in this life. Most runs are pretty tough. It is sheer will power to make myself run that last lap I know I have to do today even though I want to lay down on the ground and give up. But the other day on a walk with my family, my boys started running in play and I was having fun racing with them. My body didn’t resist that short run up the hill because it’s getting “in shape.†And yes, it was fun! I laughed instead of coming to a stop, gasping for breath. There is pay off for all this work.
Faith training prepares us as well. Even more so. Taking time in the Word daily and asking for help with that Fruit of the Spirit is measurably more important. Whether it’s for a need with your family or that need at church or a battle that would have wiped you out but instead only left you a bit winded and made you stronger, there is value. It holds promise in this life. And then there’s the “life to come.â€
How relevant is our faith training to the life to come? Not that we earn it, but it is not for nothing! All the real things that we learn last into eternity!
How could they not? That’s where our Savior is with the crown of glory on his head! He won. He won everything. He won everything for you and for me! And what does he have? A crown for your head as well, one of the most brilliant works of grace in all the universe! That’s what is waiting for us on the other side of the line and it’s something to think about when your side hurts, your head is pounding, there’s a pain in your knee that is getting worse and you feel like falling down and curling into the fetal position. Not gonna happen because we have put our hope in the Savior and in his righteousness we labor and strive and overcome! See ya on the track.
Ask the Lord
Dearest Father, I rejoice in you! Be with me on this earth as I labor and strive to train daily with you. Give me the energy to persevere and the power of your will to continue on, even when the going gets tough. Thank you for the blessings of this life and the promise of glory with you in heaven which makes all the work worth it. In you we shout for joy! Amen.
Valerie Johnson
The race is in two weeks.
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