Some of you may know that I’m a former athlete, Health and Physical Education teacher and coach. I spent twenty years in that role before moving into school administration and then educational technology. Over the years however, with my former training and background and even though I knew better, I had let my nutrition and exercise routine slip and was not in the shape I needed to be in. I was still in fairly decent health with no major issues but I was not working at really being fit and healthy. So at the urging of my #3 son, Jordan, who has developed himself into a semi-health/fitness/nutrition expert, I began to follow a regime he suggested to get in shape. I began the first of June 2018, added some free-weight exercises in August then mixed it up with a new workout in November. I work out three days a week and have not missed a day, I am stronger! Now, that’s the background.
As a Christian, God speaks to me frequently about things in my life and how they can be translated or compared to things in the Spirit realm. I began this blog to share these “revelations” with others in the hope that the visions God gives me will be encouraging to them. So during the six months of this workout routine, God has shown me several lessons that have a Spiritual teaching, thus, “Lessons From The Gym”.
I wrote about this idea of WORK previously: https://roadrevelations.org/2014/02/the-super-team. Since I’ve been seriously working out, I find that on many days, it isn’t pleasant, I don’t look forward to it, actually some days I dread it. But I know it’s for my good and after the workout, I feel much better; a little sore and tired but I have the satisfaction that I have completed the task. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7). There is satisfaction in completing a difficult task. In Christianity, there are unpleasant tasks we’re directed to complete but it’s all for our good. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). Our God is in control and He knows what’s good for us and He has the final outcome in view. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,” (Jeremiah 29:11). It takes WORK to get in shape, to develop more muscle strength, to be more healthy. It takes WORK to be a better Christian, to be more like Jesus, (our Spiritual fitness instructor), to be an effective servant, and to be “the Church”. “To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24). “Put off, be renewed, put on”, all require WORK.
We can be satisfied to get saved then sit in the pew and not do much else. But God has a plan for us which is unique to how we were created and He wants us to WORK at it. Just as a child in Kindergarten is not expected to be the CEO of a company or a kid in 6th grade is not expected to be a star varsity athlete, neither is a new believer expected to have all the tools and developed abilities to be a Super Star Christian. It all takes WORK! But we have to choose to take the classes, go through the training and do what it takes to be promoted, “from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
I was driving to work one morning and praying, “Lord, what’s up with all these difficulties going on in my life?” And immediately I got a question in my Spirit, “Oh, do you want out of the advanced class?” Oh my goodness! I remembered that I had previously told God I was not satisfied with first-level Christianity and wanted to be more. So my response was, “Oh no Lord, I don’t want out of the advanced class.” “I see now what’s going on so keep training me for bigger and better things for Your Kingdom.” It takes WORK, hard WORK! Let’s get going, how about it?
Related Posts:
Discover more from Revelations From The Road
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Leave a Reply