discipline.

I Corinthians 9:26-27 "So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep in under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."

I have been thinking about these verses a lot lately, and not because I need to get out and start exercising again. There is something so motivating in the example of physical discipline. Paul alludes to the fact that the runner and the boxer don't just do what they do for the fun of it. There is a methodical and logical reason for them to regulate and discipline what there body does under all kinds of circumstances. How similar it is for us as Christians to regulate and discipline our spiritual bodies to withstand all kinds of life's circumstances. This is so important! Imagine if the runner only trained on cool days, how would he be able to endure the race on a hot humid day? What if the boxer only used a speed bag, he would never know how much force was really needed to knock his opponent off balance.
Now let's look at the Christian. If he only trains on good days, or only knows how to get through good days, how will he be able to get through the rough days/circumstances? His training flaw is that he only saw the opportunity to learn when he felt good. In order to be able to endure through all kinds of situations, the Christian must train to withstand all kinds of pressures. How is this done? By grace. It's only by God's graciousness that He allows us to endure hard and easy circumstances, and it's by his strength can we get through those rough ones. Can we do it on out own? Of course not, if we could than what would be the point of discipline? Our training must teach us to go to the same place no matter good or bad-our knees. How else is this training done? Along with prayer is dedication to the Word-digging, planting and watering. Dig up the soil of your heart, plant the Holy Spirit, and water with the Word. In order for the plant to grow to endure any weather that is thrown its way it must be fed and watered. We, as Christians, must also be fed and watered the Word. God is our gardener, He has planted Himself in us, and He gives us the food and water needed to grow to endure the hardships of this life.

What a neat picture of our Lord. He saw us in the lot of despair, and dug us up, and transplanted us into His garden. Then He tends us and waters us to grow up to be beautiful healthy plants in His garden....I think I'll have to work on that analogy some more, but it's a start.

Well, for now, I'll leave you with this-how is your training going?