1 Timothy 4:6-16 Training in Godliness

 

Observation: The author gives Timothy, a young Christian pastor, advice on how to lead a church. Provide sound teaching to the community. Have nothing to do with "profane myths and old wives tales" (teaching that contradicts what he has already learned) and train himself for godliness the way an athlete trains for a physical challenge. 

Application: Today, I exercised on the elliptical machine for the first time in...a long time. Many months, to be honest. My kids got up obscenely early, and we dropped them off at the bus stop for their first day of school. We're getting our bodies and minds back into "the routine" that will be normal for a new school year. 

This season of transition is a good time to remember that "godliness," which I would define as spending time with Jesus and actively trying to follow him in daily life, is a skill that does not happen by accident. An athlete does not accidentally get up in the morning and run miles while others sleep. Neither does a disciple of Jesus make progress in a spiritual path. It's a series of little decisions, day by day, hour by hour. It's not always forward motion. There will be setbacks. But if we are expecting that our prayer life, our worldview, our acts of love and justice, our way of living, will just change on their own, without our opening up space in our lives everyday, we will be disappointed. 

Now is a good time to recommit. Let's get back to training. 

Prayer: Jesus, I am here for you today. Thanks for meeting me where I am. Amen.