“Train up a child in the way that he should go.” Proverbs 22:6
“You have the privilege of a personal trainer to get you fit and keep you in shape”
My thoughts today are about “your personal trainer.”
It would be easy to comment about the practical, parenting counsel of today’s verse. I heartily commend it to those who are parents, or to others when they become parents. However, I would prefer today to take the principle that is being shared and apply it to how the Father’s parents us – you and me.
Consider with me that if the Bible teaches a parent to follow this counsel, wouldn’t it be consistent and practical that Heavenly Father would follow His own advice. I think God would never be found guilty of a cavalier attitude evidenced by, “Do as I say, not as I do.”
In recent years, there has developed a growing popularity of personal trainers – the accent being on personal. From what was once the province of only the wealthy who could afford the luxury or celebrities who required that to be at their best and most fit, it seems that almost anyone can have a personal trainer.
Clearly, a personal trainer would better customize routines and exercises that more particularly address the unique needs and individual goals of one person. To me, the individual and concentrated attention of a professional would seem to be much more time efficient and effective.
“Train yourself to be Godly. For physical training is of some value, but Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV. No one need argue the value of physical fitness, but there is an even higher value and priority for being spiritually fit. The difference is between “some value” and a “promise for this life and the life to come.”
Who can deny the need for spiritual fitness, or the need for significant guidance and help to accomplish that. Does it seem to you that is not as easy as it sounds? “Everyone who competes goes into strict training.” Read 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 NIV. What if you had the privilege of a personal, spiritual trainer to get you fit and into shape?
Jesus promised just that – a personal trainer to get your lazy soul up and active, and your wimpy spirit healthy and set on things above and eternal! Read Colossians 3:1-4 NLT. The disciples were astonished when Jesus said to them, “It is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor/Comforter won’t come . . when the Spirit of Truth is come He will guide you into all truth.” Read John 16:7-14 NLT/2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV. Your personal trainer is the Holy Spirit, which Jesus considered essential to your well being. He knows precisely how to train you personally “in the way you should go!” Trust Him; listen to Him; do as He says. You will be the better for it!
Your Personal Trainer does not merely live with you; He lives within you, constantly directing you in the ways and will of God – protecting you from danger and invisible but real attacks – and correcting you in the wrong that so easily befalls you, “the sin that so easily hinders your progress.” Hebrews 12:1 NLT.
Now here is the unvarnished truth: getting fit takes discipline and hard work. It is not easy and does not happen overnight. “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening. It is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” Hebrews 12:11 NLT.
My prayer for you today is: keep your heart set on Kingdom priorities and eternal realities.