Training for Godliness

I went to my first track meet of the season last night. A "balmy 40 degrees" with a Northwest Wind about 25 mph made it feel like it was 15 degrees. It is obvious that some athletes have natural ability and some have less, but the one constant in track is that with training everyone can "improve their game." I'm pretty sure that everyone competing last night (runners and field event people) had been practicing. It is just not a good idea to show up without any training to "try hard" to run 400 meters. It's not an accident that Paul took the imagery of athletic competition to describe the Christian life. He told Timothy, "discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness." Many of us are frustrated because we "try hard" to live the Christian life, but we need to see that the Christian life is like competing in track--"discipline/training" is the key to progressing. To become more Christlike (godly) we need to stay faithful in training--renewing our minds with God's word, serving others instead of ourselves, quieting ourselves before the Lord to listen and to pray, and sharing with others the resources He has provided us. These and many other "spiritual disciplines" when practiced consistently with the right heart can move us along spiritually. Let's face it, we don't always feel like spending time reading the Bible, or praying, or serving others, but this sort of training is essential to our growth. Nobody said it would be easy, but we must do our part and God will do His part to transform us (Phil.2:12-13). Lord, help me to stay faithful in training myself for the purpose of godliness.