The importance of staying engaged
When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” -Genesis 28:16
We are a people of snap decisions. We don’t want to waste our time investing in something that isn’t going to be worth it in the end, so we are quick to decide if something is worth our time or not. If not, we move on—quickly.
Do you judge a book by its cover?
How many pages do you read before you give up on an author?
How many minutes of a movie do you watch before you decide if you will finish it?
Do we carry this mindset into our spiritual disciplines? Do we come to bible reading, prayer, worship, sermons expecting God to reveal Himself to us in the first 3 minutes? If not, do we move on?
If so, we will miss out on the greatest God encounters of our lives. Jacob wakes from a dream and cries out, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” Later Jacob wrestles with a strange man all night long. In the morning he realizes he was wrestling with God. Two disciples on the way to Emmaus walk with Jesus all afternoon, but only at the end of their journey realize they had been with the Lord.
We don’t always know when God is among us. Sometimes we only realize we have been in the presence of God after a divine encounter. Perhaps we should not be quick to decide we will not hear from God in this day, in this hour, in this moment.
Training For Godliness
I’ve been able to watch a bit of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics this week. It is always amazing to watch the world’s top athletes perform. The training programs these athletes undergo for just a few minutes of Olympic competition is inspiring.
As an Olympic athlete trains for the games, Paul instructions us to train for godliness: “Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:7-8).
Training makes it possible for us to do things that would otherwise have been impossible.
What would a training program for godliness look like?
We would practice focus—removing those things that distract from our goal.
These are disciplines of abstinence like fasting, silence, solitude, simplicity, and rest.
We would practice action—adding things to our lives that help us reach our goal.
There are disciplines of growth like worship, bible study, journaling, confession, prayer
We would join a team—working together with others who bring out the best in us.
These are disciplines of community like hospitality, authenticity, encouragement, and submission.
We would find a coach—a wise mentor who can lead us toward the goal.
This is the discipline of spiritual direction through a pastor, counselor, mentor, or friend.
We would train for a purpose—eventually an athlete must enter the competition.
These are disciplines of mission like forgiveness, praying for others, working for justice, giving, serving, and proclaiming the good news in word and deed.
What about your training? Which of these disciplines have been helpful? What would you add to the program?
"My God, here I am all devoted to Thee. Lord, make me according to Thy heart."
— Brother Lawrence
