Well, I am back in the gym again. I am working out and lifting weights in an effort to strengthen my aging muscles. I don’t know how I got this old this fast, but here I am. 😊
A special treat is that the gym where I work out has mirrors all around the room. They are not small mirrors. You can imagine, right? You can see yourself ever so clearly – whether you want to or not.
There are many people there who clearly want to see themselves. It is entertainment for me to watch them lift and then get in really close to the mirrors to flex, stare at themselves, and pose. Sometimes they take pictures.
They are working to admire themselves and have a sense of pride in how they look, or at the very least see the progress they are making. Nothing wrong with that.
But it did get me thinking about a couple of verses in Scripture. These come from two of the outstanding followers of Jesus. The first one is James, the brother of Jesus, the first leader of the early church in Jerusalem. The second is Paul, the author of over half of the New Testament and the planter and leader of many of the early churches. They knew what spiritual life and growth is.
Obey God's message! Don't fool yourselves by just listening to it. If you hear the message and don't obey it, you are like people who stare at themselves in a mirror and forget what they look like as soon as they leave. James 1:23-24 CEV
For physical training is of some value, but godliness (spiritual training) is of value in everything and in every way since it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8 AMP
We are being urged to not simply go through life thinking we are probably all right, but to honestly take time to evaluate ourselves according to God’s standard. I wonder what could happen if we regularly looked into the mirror of the Word of God to see if we are out of shape or if we are developing true spiritual muscle.
We work out and pick up weights to develop spiritual muscle in predictable ways: It happens as we live in community with other believers who are also working out, focused on becoming strong. We always do better and more consistently when we aren’t alone.
Serving puts on muscle. When we do for others inside and outside of the church, we get strong and can fairly quickly see a change in us.
Taking time to read the Word of God and pray, not just as a ritual, but honestly investing daily in time to grow our relationship with God intentionally packs on the muscles.
Tithing – giving the first 10% of our income to the Lord – will show results almost immediately. Then as you continue to grow, God will help you to be radically generous. You will like the way you “look” in the mirror and the health you feel.
Sabbath keeping, making sure you worship, rest, and refresh, will make you strong and fit.
Would you like what you saw and what God saw if you looked in the mirror? You can get stronger and better. Let’s do it!