Most of us would stake claim to the fact that we desire to be more like Jesus. We try to do the right thing at the right time for the right reason, as Jesus would do. But is trying likely to result in change? Spiritual transformation is not a matter of trying harder; it involves training wisely.
I recall attending a high school performance of Annie Get Your Gun several years ago. During intermission time, a friend leaned my way to offer a comment. She said it was apparent the students had been practicing long and hard for an extended period of time. The choreography was well-planned and rehearsed. The performers communicated to the audience clearly and passionately through dialogue, song, and expression. They were on cue and on key! They didn’t just show up and try to perform well. They had obviously trained wisely.
If we are to be “on cue” in the way we live out our Christian lives, we must enter into spiritual training. This requires a purposeful effort on our part, not just wishful thinking or good intentions. We must enter into places–mentally, emotionally, and physically–where spiritual transformation can occur. Are you spending time in places that help you think and feel and act like Jesus? Are you training wisely?
Prayer and Bible study are of course key pursuits that impact our spiritual growth, but are we overlooking other potential training grounds that exist in our everyday lives? In John Ortberg’s book, The Life You’ve Always Wanted, he says spiritual training can be defined as “any activity that can help you gain power to live life as Jesus taught and modeled it.” He goes on to explain a unique example of spiritual training in his own life. Knowing that he was called by God to be a loving person (like Jesus), and realizing that loving well required a tremendous amount of energy, John decided that if he was serious about becoming a more loving person, he was going to have to get more sleep. For him, going to bed earlier was a form of spiritual training.
What about you? What activities could you pursue to help you gain more power to live like Jesus? If you want to move beyond just trying, take a few minutes and ask the Lord to speak to you about how you might train wisely so you’ll be “on cue” with the things He wants to do through you.
Living it out...
In I Timothy 4:7, Paul urges Timothy to discipline (or train) himself for the purpose of godliness.
Paul said Timothy should show himself an example of those who believe through his speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.
Do you struggle in any of the areas Paul mentions here? Maybe your speech is sometimes harsh? Perhaps you struggle with worry (like me?) Or maybe your television viewing or Internet surfing habits are wreaking havoc on your thought life? Do you take care of yourself physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually?
Can you identify a specific area where God is calling you to train better? What steps can you take to train yourself in godliness?
No comments:
Post a Comment