Our Stories
In Training
By Kelly Humphreys | posted 06/17/2010
"... 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 4:7b-8)
I have been walking a lot lately, as I’m training for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure in September, where my team and I will walk 20 miles a day for three days, raising money for breast cancer research, prevention and awareness. I’ve found while I’m training, that it is not very hard - although it can be difficult at times - but it is very time-consuming. In order to do it right, I need to think about it and plan ahead for it or it won’t get done. And nothing trains me better for it - although I do cross-train with other activities at the gym from time to time - than walking itself.
On the other side of the coin are people who train intensely. Two young women with whom I work at Starbucks are also hitting the gym to be healthy and stay fit, but with more intensity. They are in effect training their bodies to be more powerful. I admire their hard work and tenacity. One girl always goes to the gym immediately after work, even if she had to start work that morning at 4:30 AM. The other one crazily gets up at 2:30 AM to go work out before starting her 4:30 AM shift. They inspire me - in fact, I find it easy not to snack at the coffee shop when I see their willpower - although I can’t see myself going to work out at 2:30 in the morning!
Training ourselves in godliness - which the Bible tells us to do - is like that. It sometimes is not that difficult, but it is time-consuming. It sometimes is extremely difficult and intense, but inspires others to do the same when they see your hard work. It requires some forethought and planning.
The New Bible Dictionary defines godliness as "a God-honoring manner of life, issuing from a true knowledge of God and his grace in Jesus Christ. A genuine devotion to God transforms relationships and behavior in every context." It is "an active obedience to his revealed will."
I’ve been thinking about this lately, as we’ve been studying the 10 Commandments these past weeks, and how they are fulfilled in Jesus. The laws are summed up as "Love God, Love People" ... in that order. This requires training - not something we can do on our own or without the Holy Spirit, and definitely not something we can do to earn our value with God or our way into heaven - but training as an act of our will, partnering with God, seasoned liberally with grace.
We all know our faults, our limitations and our brokenness; I certainly know my many bents for sin. We all might find it hard to call ourselves "godly." (We Christians are considered "godly" through Jesus’ righteousness, but that’s for another discussion.) But we can all be in training. It is a process, a journey, a walking with God.
I heard a speaker on the radio years ago who talked about people trying to overcome their bent for sin in certain areas, people who asked God to help them overcome habitual sins. One woman, I remember, had an extreme impatience for standing in lines, even to the point of being angry and snippy at the cashier when she was checking out and this distressed her greatly about herself. So she prayed about it, and started bringing a book to read in her purse, and asked God to help her be patient. She started finding herself in lines and actually being cheerful, knowing God was training her in patience. Plus she really wanted to read that book!
What areas do you struggle in, where can you be trained in godliness? How can God help you to love Him more and love on people more? Some suggestions: read the Word regularly and find out just how much God loves you, take advantage of classes offered at church (I’m loving my Contemplation class), pray and listen, and do whatever else God leads you to. It will take some effort, partnering with God’s Spirit, and a lot of grace (note: God does not condemn you), but in the process you will grow closer to God, laugh a lot with Him, and find His love and grace are spilling over you to other people. So, how about it? Want to train together?
"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11)
Kelly can be reached via email.
