Training, Not Trying - Mike
It's been a while since I've had a chance to blog, but Ryan's message this week really resonated with me. As a reminder the passage from this week's sermon was 1 Tim 4:7-8
"Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." ESV
A few years ago I ran across a book that helped me get a better perspective on my spiritual life. In his book, The Life You've Always Wanted, John Ortberg conveys the imaginary scenario where one day while I'm sitting on the couch in a TV-trance twinkie binge, representatives from the US Olympic Committee knock on my front door with the news that after extensive research on every person in the country, they have determined that out of all the citizens of our country, I am the person with the most potential to win a gold medal in the upcoming olympic marathon.
My first response is fantasizing about how great it will feel to stand on the center podium with national anthem blaring to receive the gold medal. Then to my horror I suddenly realize that in my current condition I have absolutely no chance of completing a marathon, much less finish with gold. No chance, not even if I try really, really hard.
Yet according to the committee I am virtually guaranteed victory. The choice then becomes do I settle for trying to win (the easy way out with little chance for success) or do I choose to train to seize the opportunity of a lifetime?
Here, according to Ortberg, is the principle: There is an enormous difference between training to do something and trying to do something.
Now everyone would certainly agree with that principle when it concerns athletics, playing an instrument, or getting a PhD in quantum physics. But if I'm honest with myself it's amazing how quickly I fail to believe that principle when it comes to my life in Jesus. Despite knowing better I still bounce up and down, from low to high to low, challenge-try-fail, over and over, because I am trying for - and not training for - godliness.
One of the most vivid examples I can relate to you happened about a year ago with my mentor. When he agreed to mentor me (I asked him to mentor me, he didn't offer it - that's another principle to learn) he told me that I would be required to memorize a whole book of the Bible as part of the commitment. That's five chapters recited word for word.
Well after completing maybe two chapters successfully I felt as if my brain was gonna fall out of my skull and that I could do no more. From across the table he looked me straight in the eye and said, "Mike, it all depends on how badly you want this. You CAN do this if you choose to. How badly do you want to know - really know - God's Word?"
Put in that way I had to accept the challenge. However, I couldn't keep doing what I was doing and expect to accomplish the goal. It wasn't working. I had to stop trying and start training. So I evaluated my situation and came up with a simple training plan: 1. Turn off the television in the evening and use the time to study, and, 2. While driving (anywhere, any time) trade in talk radio for talking to myself, reciting the scripture verses out loud.
After a few months of working hard according to the plan I succeeded in memorizing the whole book. Now I'm slowly working on memorizing another!
In relating this experience I am not suggesting that you have to do what I am doing. And I remind you that none of this effort is to "earn" anything from God. I am saying that in my own life, my call to godliness involves memorizing scripture - lots of it - and there is no way I can accomplish that by trying. I need to be in training.
Interested in training for godliness, not trying? Check out "9 Thoughts for... ummm... 0'10" in Ryan's blog for some great tips to get going.