Seeking God Part 2
I recently shared a verse from Jeremiah about "finding God" and establishing a personal relationship with Him through OUR seeking. I'd like to expand on that a little bit through the concept of "exercising our faith".
I could never get myself to exercise regularly during my working years - even when there were nice workout facilities at Kellogg or in all those hotels I seemed to live in for oh-so-many years. I understood the need and benefits, but always found excuses to prioritize other things. After retirement, I lost those excuses and decided to give it a try. With the help of Patrick Smith and his Strength for Life program at the Sherman Lake YMCA, I've made it a priority and I'm seeing the results (c'mon, it's not rocket science - put in the time and effort = see the results). It's no different with our faith experience. We'd love to think that the whole universe will be revealed to us the second we're baptized, but relationships don't work that way - even with God. There's got to be some sweat equity.
...train yourself to be godly. 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 (1 Timothy 4:7-8)
For some background, the apostle Paul is in prison - physically spent and nearing the end of his life. He's writing a letter to his dear friend Timothy, who he considers to be like a son and the one he hopes will become his successor. Basically he's saying "take care of yourself physically, but more importantly take care of yourself spiritually because that effects everything, both now and forevermore".
Expecting to be spiritually fit by going to church on Sunday is like training to run a marathon by taking a walk once a week. Or hoping that my golf game will somehow improve, but only golfing 9 holes a week - it's just not going to be enough. So you want spiritual growth? Do some wind sprints and start reading a daily devotional. Put in some serious roadwork and start reading a daily bible or on a CD in your car. Pump some iron at men's group, or Hands of God. You get the idea - look around for ways to exercise spiritually and then make them a priority and a habit. Put in the effort and then marvel at the results!
-John
