Training

1 Timothy 4:1-16

Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come. (vs. 8)

I was a runner. (And, honestly, it makes me uncomfortable to admit that I'm not really one now.) I used to run 5-7 days a week, preparing for cross country races, track races, or road races. In the winter, we would run through the halls at school. We drove out of town to run up and down huge hills. We ran through the mud in the marsh. We ran intervals and long distances, all to make sure we were well prepared. Our team ran for the chance to win conference or to make it to State (which we never did). I ran to put more medals on my letter jacket, to make it to first team all-conference (which I never quite accomplished), to be better than a I had been the year before.

Training focuses our minds and our bodies on the goal set before us. It prepares us to endure when the challenge gets difficult, and it helps our bodies be prepared for what we need them to do. Paul admits that physical training is good. There are rewards and benefits to physical training (even when we don't achieve all the goals we set).

But, he says, this is a trustworthy saying that everyone should accept, "training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come." He says the reason he struggled and worked hard was because his hope is in the living God, the Savior of all people, particularly of believers.

How are you training yourself in godliness? Do you find that it's more challenging to set your mind to striving for that goal than it is for your physical training efforts like fitness goals, health goals, or hopes of athletic success? Do you have a team you're a part of, holding you accountable and cheering you on? Is there someone you might be able to coach? What "field" of ministry are you preparing for?

Our hope is in the living God, the Savior of all people. And He has called us into His family, giving us the opportunity to offer our gifts, talents, struggles - to offer ourselves - to Him for His service. Whether you've been in the stands, on the bench, or in the arena, let us devote ourselves today to God's training camp, allowing Him to do His miraculous work in, through, and among us!