To get the best out of a man go to what is best in him.
~Daniel Considine
But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. These things command and teach.
~1 Timothy 4:7-10
In the Christian life, there is a certain flow; a rhythm, a pulse. His power flows into and through our lives as we get out of the way and let Him do His thing. That which is best in me has nothing to do with me. Notice, i am really talking about getting out of the way – AND LETTING CHRIST LIVE through me.
How?
Spiritual exercise. Physical exercise. Discipline.
Oh yuck… I know, right?
No, we don’t know until we try it His way. And then we find out it was what we were looking for all the time anyway! I’m literally talking about letting G_d help us do the things that we need to do to make our human temples usable for His purpose and glory.
Now please read something clearly here: If i exercise my physical body, do i actually make my muscles grow? Do i begin to correct my own blood chemistry by eating a better diet? Of course not. The wonderful human machine – designed by G_d – responds to proper physical inputs and tends to align itself with its designed purpose. It runs with energy. It yearns for the morning. It just wants to go. Feed a body right, exercise it right, hydrate it, and rest it right and it begins to operate “at ease.” Yeah, like as in the opposite of “dis-ease.” We have nothing to do with the results though! We just have to align with truths like: “you are what you eat,” and “When the mind is tired, exercise the body… When the body is tired, exercise the mind… and when both are tired, go to sleep!” But when we do, good things tend to happen to our bodies. The energy from food, water, knowledge, sleep, and exercise begins to flow out from our physical existence. Some call this vitality. It is good stuff.
But, spiritual exercise profits our beings in a more profound way. Our very chief purpose is to glorify G_d with our existence. I.e, to literally live in such a way that the world gains a proper perspective on who G_d is and what He is like. And spiritual exercises work to clear the way for us to fulfill that purpose. Life is not about us. It’s all about Him. So make no mistake beloved, i am not talking about us getting cleaned up so that we look good to G_d and the world. I am, however, talking about exercising in such a way that we actually begin to to disappear and people start seeing nothing but Jesus shining through us. Jesus calls this being “salt and light.” It is enduringly wonderfully good stuff!
If we get nothing else here, get this: Just as we have nothing to do with the regeneration of muscle tissue, we have nothing to do with the maturation that results from spiritual exercise. Christ is THE Author and Finisher of this deal. We are simply called to obey and leave the results to Him.
With the foregoing established though, we should have no doubt that earnest exercise programs of worship, prayer, fasting, fellowship, Bible study and service are of great value in fulfilling our primary purpose! What if we actually turned off our TVs, DVDs and video games; and instead spent some time doing earnest spiritual exercise? What if we actually lived in such a way that Christ could shine through us. That, instead of sitting slumped in the dimly flickering barrage of garbage eminating from an electronic screen.
Did he just say turn off my TV?!?
Uh… yeah, i guess i did. And oh, by the way, this has been one of the best things i ever did. AMAZING how much more time there is in life, and how many other things there are to do in Christ! Try it for 30 days. See what happens…
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
~1 Corinthians 9:27
