“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales; rather, 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
The 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing are in two weeks. World-class athletes from around the globe have sacrificed it all: sleep, time with family and friends to represent their country in China for one purpose—to win a gold medal!
As enter into the third week of physical therapy on my ankle, my training has not been as intense as an Olympic athlete. But it has been focused. Not only have we worked on my ankle, but also on my hip, and shoulder. The right hip has been tight because of having to keep most of the weight off of my right foot. The right shoulder has been in pain due to arthritis which has been further aggravated by walking with crutches.
As I think about training and the physical therapy I will be in for 1o more weeks, I am reminded of these verses from 1 Timothy 4:7-8. The elder apostle Paul reminds his young protégé, Timothy, what’s important in life: godliness over physical training. This is not to say you should not exercise, eat right, and take care of your body. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). But it does emphasize the importance of pursuing godliness not only for this life, but also for the future when a believer will see Jesus face-to-face in “the life to come”—Heaven.
“Training yourself to be godly” takes work. The Puritans called it "holy sweat"! In the context here it is likened to working out in a gym, but the focus is not on the physical but on the spiritual--your own heart. Are you pursuing Jesus Christ through spending time with Him in His Word, in prayer, turning from sin, confessing it and forsake it? Have you praise the Lord in song today? Praise the Lord that we can do it with His help. In Paul’s second letter to Timothy he writes, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7).
Training with perseverance through His strength and grace.
My physical therapists.
Jen getting after it on my ankle.
Dr. Linda
1 comment:
Jeff, Praise the Lord for your faithfulness. Keep preaching the truth. What an encouraging time it has been following your progress and atitude. Keep going strong for His glory brother!
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