It seems to me that there is a strong connection between the physical and the spiritual, particularly in terms of discipline. Learning to control what I eat, for instance, doesn't just help me physically. Sure, I may lose some pounds and maintain my girlish figure, but in the meantime I'm learning the basic principle of controlling something rather than letting it control me...a rather handy tool in my spiritual walk. Or take exercise for example. I certainly have NO desire to wake up way before my body is ready to, only to cause it pain. Everything in me says, "NO! You idiot! You need sleep!" But in the process of making myself do it anyway, I learn a great deal about what I'm capable of and I find that the long-term rewards are worth it. To be honest, I don't wake up every day itching to dive into God's word (gasp!) But I do it anyway. Why? Because I know that Scripture works even if I don't see the immediate reward, just like exercising. I've learned that making the study of Scripture a part of my daily routine has incredible payoffs and is well worth it in the end.
The same can be said of any kind of skill really. If you want to be a guitar player, you've got to put the work into it. You've got to build the callouses. You've got to train your fingers where to go and you've got to learn scales, chords, and theory. Unless you're August Rush, you don't just reach over to pick up a guitar for the first time and instantly sound like a virtuoso. Likewise, you don't just grab a Bible and instantly know how God works. There is much to learn, and it takes discipline.
It's fascinating to me how the two are intertwined. Of course, a guy named Paul in the Bible told us this long ago: "...train yourselves 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 Tim 4:7-8
I used to take this to mean that we shouldn't worry much about the physical stuff, because what really matters is the spiritual stuff. But that's not what it says. Physical training isn't worthless...it's "of some value." Compared to spiritual stuff, of course the two aren't even close. But I think that Paul is implying that there is a strong connection between to the two and that we should take what we learn from our physical disciplines and apply it to our spiritual disciplines.
It goes without saying that this certainly doesn't mean that if you work out a bunch you'll be a spiritual giant. Or that if your exceedingly overweight and out of shape, you're a lousy Christ-follower. All I'm saying is that there's a connection between the two and we'd be wise to pay attention and learn from it.
Posts
October 4, 2010 at 7:47 PM
I agree wholeheartedly...though I think it was a little mean to use that picture of your dad.
October 5, 2010 at 10:26 AM
I thought that was one of your better pics!
Post a Comment