ODJ: taking God for granted
August 16, 2011
Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come (v.8).
READ: 1 Timothy 4:6-16
I’m not going to join the track team again! I said that to myself countless times during my years in school. But every track season, there I was, back on the team.
Why did I have a love/hate relationship with track? The training! During practice, we pushed our perceived physical limits and strove for perfection. And all that training led to some difficulty and discomfort. Having said that, however, it also led to physical fitness that I haven’t witnessed since then. So, even though I disliked all the running, it was good for me.
There’s another kind of training that is far more important than track—training in godliness. We need to train ourselves to be someone who faithfully walks with God each day. How do we do that? Well, the word train gives us a clue. You see, we don’t simply drift into godliness. Like the training for track, it takes intentional, focused steps to get there.
Watch your diet. What are you feeding on? Primetime TV? Bestseller novels? The apostle Paul urged Timothy to fill up on the message of faith and sound doctrine (1 Timothy 4:6). So reading God’s Word and feasting on solid Christian literature is a good start. But more than that, you need to truly believe and apply the truths of God’s Word to your life.
Use your time well. Paul told Timothy, “Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales” (v.7). Likewise, you can’t simply wish you had time to read the Bible, pray, and meditate—you have to choose a time and stick to it.
I take regular walks with God. Along the way, I like to listen to sermons or simply talk with Him in prayer. These “workouts” have been great for my body and spirit. Start your own spiritual workout program today! —Poh Fang Chia
Amid all the pressures and demands of your day, when will you take time to train in godliness? What new “workout” practices do you need to add to your regimen? Why?
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