Theme: Bigger, Faster, Stronger

Verse: For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8)

Did you know athletes spend over 95% of their time training for the less than 5% that they actually compete. That training is designed by coaches with specific objectives in mind. The athlete must make sacrifices of time and pain to get to where they want to be.

How much time do we spend in spiritual training? The ratio is often reversed. Do we even have a plan? Absent a coherent plan we often find ourselves spiritually ill-prepared for life’s challenges.

Just like in athletics, our desire must be matched by our ACTIONS. We need a good training plan, and we need to put in the time executing that plan. As you do that you are likely to find these truths:

1. Training is often opposed. The enemy is going to show up to disrupt your training plan to connect with Giod.

2. Training is painful but has a purpose. You will be stretched beyond your limits and become sore. As I’m being reminded post knee replacement surgery, pain is always a precursor to growth.

3. Training is a means, not an end. It’s great to have a training regimen, but without the goal to be changed into the likeness of Christ, our spiritual training can easily devolve into religious activity that we check off of our to-do list.

Challenge entering the new year: Show up for your physical AND spiritual workouts. In both, make the sacrifice. You will be BIGGER, FASTER, AND STRONGER, on the other side.

If we do the TRAINING, God will take care of the CHANGING!

Have a great week!

Adapted from True Competitor by Dan Britton and Jimmy Page