TRAINING
Training (noun) : To form by
instruction, to aim at an objective, to prepare for a test
On my drive to the office this month, I’ve noticed lots of training going on. Kids kick up dirt, riding horses around in circles under the
watchful eye of their instructor. Students
on summer vacation jog in groups preparing for Cross Country meets. A high school marching band works on its formations and
memorizes music for halftime performances.
A good friend is diligently training for an upcoming race.
What are you
doing? How are you training your body,
your mind, and your spirit?
While we may not
have a significant event ahead to motivate us to a specific goal, we have a
reason to train ourselves – every day. How are the fruits (of the Spirit) coming
along? How many chapters of the Bible
have you read today, this week, this month, this year…? Does time fly when you connect with God
through prayer? What worship songs do you know by heart and
sing in the car, the shower, while you’re mowing, chopping veggies, riding your
bike, or pushing the kids on the swings?
These items may
not make it on your “to-do” list, but they are so very, very important in the
life of a believer. Reading your Bible,
praying, and worshipping may not seem like training, but it most definitely is! If we’ve done our “training in righteousness”
as Paul exhorted Timothy, we are so much better prepared to deal with whatever
comes our way. Here’s the thing: something IS coming your way. Something is always coming your way. It might not be today, tomorrow, or next week,
but it’s coming. How well you’ve trained
will determine how well you handle the test, the crisis, the opportunity to
impact someone's life with the message of the Gospel.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us
what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us
when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right." (2 Tim 3:16 NLT)
I love how The Message reiterates it: “Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and
useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting
our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put
together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.”
Bring your water bottle and meet me on the track? :-D
-Bonnie
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