Happy New Year! We’re just five days into it so it’s probably safe to say everyone’s still securely strapped inside the Resolution bandwagon. 😉 For those of you who’ve slept since I posted my New Year’s blog at the end of 2010, allow me to copy and paste a paragraph so you may be reminded of my humble stance on resolution-making:
I, like most of you, I would guess, have been there, failed that when it comes to making promises to myself at the dawn of a new year. Personal examples include: be more organized by: a.) keeping an address book b.) filing c.) writing appointments on a calendar, not my hand or random scrap of paper; taking Pilates twice a week; learning an instrument; reading through the entire Bible. (Feel free to read the entire post here).
While I don’t subscribe to New Year’s resolutions (they just don’t work for me!) and therefore choose not to set and focus on specific goals I wish to achieve, hobbies I hope to take up, or skills I want to master – or at least heavily improve upon!— I do consider this transitional corner of the calendar an opportune time for a bit of spiritual exercise…though keeping physical exercise fresh and fun is definitely a top priority as well!
The exercise regimen I feel led to post about in the coming weeks is inspired by an invigoratingly vibrant, “living and active” Trainer: the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12). A particular passage from the book of second Timothy, written by the apostle Paul, exhorts us to lead our Christian lives with the same perseverance, tenacity, and devotion as soldiers, athletes, and farmers.
Notice anything interesting about the occupations chosen by the Holy Spirit to paint this picture of the Christ Follower? Maybe it’s because I’m in the fitness biz, but I readily recognize that these positions require some serious strength and self-discipline. Paul very well could’ve used “tanners” who diligently trudged in odiferous dung all day to make leather goods for a living, or “fishermen” like Simon Peter, James and John who patiently sought a respectable catch morning after morning on the Sea of Galilee. Both of these jobs are undoubtedly arduous in their own right and worthy of our respect.
But the Holy Spirit is never helter-skelter in His selection of metaphors. The three jobs included for our edification necessitate an unyielding commitment to their task, strict and steadfast training, the mental and physical fortitude to conquer fears, endure pain, and suffer losses, and of course, no small amount of muscle and stamina.
I’m excited to explore the roles of the Soldier, the Athlete, and the Farmer in posts to come. In the meantime, I hope you’ll join me in meditating on and praying about how we can apply this passage to our individual walks, whether we’re undeclared college kids, brand new wives (like me!), or busy moms.
Happy 2012, and here’s to becoming hard-core soldiers for the One True King!
Stay fit, stay faithful ~<3 Di
“Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.”
2 Timothy 2:3-7