Godliness!

Godliness!

1 Timothy 4:8 AMP

[8] For physical training is of some value, but godliness (spiritual training) is of value in everything and in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.

For every athlete, there is gain in training. It is hard to make a case for someone who goes through life's challenges without some form of preparation. You cannot run a marathon without some form of resistance; you cannot successfully finish a 90-minute football game without some exhaustion at the end of it. Life will also teach that we all need some form of exercise if we are retain a healthy body mass and enjoy the life that God has given us. I also reflect on the word 'training', and this is defined as 'the action of undertaking a course of exercise and diet in preparation for a sporting event' or 'the action of teaching a person or animal a particular skill or type of behaviour. Even an animal can be trained to perform certain actions. How much more those of us who are made in God's image, and have the power of freewill? 

Reflect again on the definitions above: the act of training is not a one-off incident; it is a combination of several small bits coming together to make a big statement. Men training for years in secret, in order to be able to run a race that lasts less than 20 seconds, in the full view of the world. Training is done away from public eye or acclaim, because that is the hard part that nobody sees or can fully appreciate. Men do not applaud the secret training, because they do not yet see the value of the pain and sacrifice. Yet, all of these things are done for an earthly reward, and for records that will be broken in the process of time. There is no physical or strenuous activity on earth that can prepare you the right way for eternity. 

To make it to eternal life with God, there is a deeper level of spiritual training that must be undertaken. This is the training that shapes you here on earth, in preparation for eternal reward. Physical training ends down here; the spiritual training impacts lives down here and also prepares you for eternal life. I should strive to do both: be fit in order to make the best use of the opportunities God gives for impact down here, and also be fit for all the trials and tough times that will come as a result of faith in Christ. If I will focus on any one, it has to be that which holds eternal value. What would it profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his soul? I ask God for grace for all that is ahead: strength for the challenges of life, and focus for the race that leads to eternal life. His grace is sufficient. God's time of favour is here.