I’ve been at the gym today!! However, it was my first visit for some time, and I hav
e to admit that it wasn’t as easy as it is when I am in the habit of much more regular visits. Of course, I didn’t go in and immediately start a full work-out. I was careful to “pace” myself, although I intend to gradually build up to my maximum again, over the next few weeks!
As I did my 20 mins. on the treadmill, I found myself thinking of the Christian life. No, not because I think of the latter as anything like a treadmill – it’s much too exciting, interesting, and even dangerous, for that. Rather, I thought of how easy it is to get out of the habit of praying frequently, of reading one’s Bible every day, of meeting with other believers for regular times of fellowship.
The difficulty arises when our consciences remind us of what we should be doing, but the longer we leave it, the more difficult it is to get back into those good, and upbuilding, practices. If that’s where you find yourself, may I suggest that you do for your spiritual benefit what I was doing, today, for my physical benefit? Don’t try to read the whole of the Gospel according to Matthew at your first sitting, or try to pray for a full hour, or even try to fit in three different worship services this Sunday! Perhaps ten minutes in prayer; reading a chapter of a Bible book; attending one worship service; would be a good start. Then, as the weeks pass, you can gradually build up until you are enjoying significant times with the Lord, and with His people
Of course, all of that assumes that you have been “backsliding”, but that you do have a living relationship with Father God, through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, on your behalf. If you haven’t, then your starting point is to confess your sinfulness, and invite Jesus to be King and Lord in your life. When I go to the gym, I wear appropriate clothing for my time of exercise. So, when we come into the presence of Almighty God, we must “… put on the Lord Jesus …” (Rom.13:14) and be covered with His righteousness.
The apostle Paul wrote these words to his young protégé, Timothy: “Train yourself in godliness; 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.” (I Tim.4:7-8). That still holds true today!
e to admit that it wasn’t as easy as it is when I am in the habit of much more regular visits. Of course, I didn’t go in and immediately start a full work-out. I was careful to “pace” myself, although I intend to gradually build up to my maximum again, over the next few weeks!As I did my 20 mins. on the treadmill, I found myself thinking of the Christian life. No, not because I think of the latter as anything like a treadmill – it’s much too exciting, interesting, and even dangerous, for that. Rather, I thought of how easy it is to get out of the habit of praying frequently, of reading one’s Bible every day, of meeting with other believers for regular times of fellowship.
The difficulty arises when our consciences remind us of what we should be doing, but the longer we leave it, the more difficult it is to get back into those good, and upbuilding, practices. If that’s where you find yourself, may I suggest that you do for your spiritual benefit what I was doing, today, for my physical benefit? Don’t try to read the whole of the Gospel according to Matthew at your first sitting, or try to pray for a full hour, or even try to fit in three different worship services this Sunday! Perhaps ten minutes in prayer; reading a chapter of a Bible book; attending one worship service; would be a good start. Then, as the weeks pass, you can gradually build up until you are enjoying significant times with the Lord, and with His people
Of course, all of that assumes that you have been “backsliding”, but that you do have a living relationship with Father God, through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, on your behalf. If you haven’t, then your starting point is to confess your sinfulness, and invite Jesus to be King and Lord in your life. When I go to the gym, I wear appropriate clothing for my time of exercise. So, when we come into the presence of Almighty God, we must “… put on the Lord Jesus …” (Rom.13:14) and be covered with His righteousness.
The apostle Paul wrote these words to his young protégé, Timothy: “Train yourself in godliness; 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.” (I Tim.4:7-8). That still holds true today!
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