Written by Kathy Reagan, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Texas.
Think about someone you consider ‘an athlete.’ What comes to mind first? How hard they exercise and train and how dedicated they are, right? Rain or shine, they are carrying on with their training. Nothing stops them.
Are we just as dedicated to our spiritual training (Heb 5:14)?
I began my karate training at age 29. It helped me on many levels: physically (strength, flexibility, balance, and agility to name a few) and mentally (to stay focused and humble). It took three years of daily classes and practice outside of class to achieve my first black belt rank. After that, I was blessed to open my own dojo (karate school) which I had for over 20 years. I had many students throughout the years who trained hard, not only in my classes but also daily at home. These students were a constant delight!
There are many parallels between physical and spiritual training! For both:
- We need the will to succeed – it takes deliberate effort. 1 Corinthians 9:24 (ESV) says, “Do you not know that in a race, all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” God’s will is for each of us to “...grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2Pe 3:18). Growth in any area isn’t easy, whether it’s physical, mental, or spiritual. But we choose to work hard, in the study of His Word, to see improvements in ourselves.
- We need daily self-discipline – Let’s read on in 1 Corinthians 9:25, “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one.” Athletes train hard every single day, not just occasionally or when they feel like it, but consistently.
- In what we internalize – spiritual food. Psalm 119:11, “I have stored up Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You,” and Colossians 3:16, “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly,” emphasize the importance of Christ living in us. We know that when we allow the world in through our eyes and ears (ungodly TV, videos, reading material, music), it’s like an athlete bingeing on junk food and expecting to do well in competition. It just won’t happen.
- In what we do – “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1Pe 1:15). In James 1:27, we see that God’s will is for us to “…keep oneself unstained from the world.”
- In how we think - “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col 3:2). In 2 Corinthians 10:5, we’re instructed to “Take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
Is self-control always easy? No, it is rarely easy. That’s why we rely on our Father, laying each struggle at His feet, bringing each challenge to Him in prayer.
- We need daily practice – Of the karate students I taught, the ones who succeeded were those who practiced daily, in class and at home. There are many ways to practice our service to God! What gifts has God given you? Do you have a heart for the poor? Are you able to teach? Are you a natural encourager? Do you love to show hospitality? Just like an athlete practices every day to get better, we also get better at serving God as we step out in faith and serve others. James 1:27 tells us “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction…”.
I had a few students, over the years, who achieved their black belts and then went on to open their own karate schools. They were fully trained. “A student is not above his master”, but when fully trained, will be like his master. Matthew 10:24-25
Spiritual training is so much more important in this life than physical training!
With physical training, you might get in great shape and be lightning fast, strong and agile, but that only has small value for a Christian. 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” (1Ti 4:7-8).
Sisters, let’s make the deliberate effort to grow in the grace and knowledge of God’s Word – study! Ask for God’s help daily to exercise self-control in all things – pray! And intentionally choose ways to imitate Jesus every single day by ministering to others – practice!
As spiritual athletes, I pray that we are a constant delight to our Father in heaven, obedient students who train hard in everyday life to be like our Master.
