First thing I realised: There is always pain in growth and in bearing fruit. Like how the seed must first die before it can become many seeds, and like how a woman has to go through the pains of labour before her child is born... so it is with any aspect of our lives. First the suffering, then the glory. "Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" Like the pains of hormonal adolescence, the pains of labour... so it is with my growth in maturity. I need to experience the good pain that comes from labouring to grow in godliness and in denying myself, just like an athlete training for the Olympics undergoes the pain of denying himself/herself chocolates, etc.
It strikes me as true, because I'm someone who has this mindset that I should be protected, kept safe... not to experience pain or discomfort unless necessary. But after talking with HQ on Sunday, I realised this character aspect of myself. So unwilling to die to self - that is why I have taken so long to grow!
So there is pain in the growth, in the maturing process... but there IS joy in the pain, because one is able to recognize it as good pain, or on a grander scale, redemptive suffering. Like how one can be glad when he jogs till he's almost ready to meet Jesus face to face (probably with a blue gasping face). :P
Then second thing that came out of this jogging experience was a fruitful time of meditation of this verse from 1 Timothy 4:7b-9:
"Instead, train yourself to be godly. 'Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.' This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it.
The jogging training helped me understand better what it means to train myself to be godly. The nature of training is that it requires:
- consistency. regular work is needed.
- training myself requires that I train myself. At first glance, sounds tautological, but realised it makes a lot of sense. If we want to train others, we need to train ourselves first. Makes sense... I can't ask someone else to do my jogging for me. Or delegate my DOTA training... :P
- training takes place on different types of terrain. Like how jogging on the pavement, jogging on the fields, jogging up over overheads, and jogging across the road... likewise, in our spiritual training, we need to train in different circumstances. if we train only in comfortable situations... the moment difficulties come, we'll be totally lost. we learn to be godly in church, at home, in the marketplace, in our free time, with our finances, with our relationships... all different types of terrain.
- training has to fit with your current level and condition. you can't expect a 3-years old to do marathons, and neither can you expect a person who has just recovered from a broken leg to start doing 100m dashes. or a weak heart, going for an ultra-marathon... it's just impossible. Having realistic, humble understanding of where I really stand...
- but training requires that you strengthen first what needs to be strengthened. if the guy's just broken his leg, he needs to stretch his weakened leg to strengthen the muscles... if you're exercising to strengthen a weak heart, then jogging or swimming would be better than weightlifting...
likewise, if i struggle to grow in emotional maturity, then reading books on the appropriate topics. if i need to grow in depth of thinking, then read deep books, and practise thinking more deeply and wisely...
- training is NEVER instant. it needs time. but the main thing is progress. just go one mile more... that's progress for the day.
- and just as importantly too, training helps us become more aware of what we lack. it helps us know where we really stand. if we think we can run a marathon in 4 hours, a quick run around the block will tell us the brutal truth. :)
think this is something i personally realised as i've walked with Jesus more and more these ten years. am realizing now just how short i fall of His perfect standard for my life... in fact, it seems to me that whenever i overcome or grow in one area of my life, i discover the bar suddenly gets higher! and the Holy Spirit opens my eyes just a little more to see just how much more is still left for me to grow!
it's like... you just finished crossing the highest mountains ever known to mankind. and it took you a few dozen years. then... when you crane your neck over the peak, expecting to see the glorious plains that lie ahead... you see a range of even higher mountain peaks in the distance.
but that's the infinite beauty of God's perfection... and the deepening epiphany of the depths of God's grace to you and me. we thought our sins were like buckets of water... we saw they were actually oceans of blood.
but then that is how we really take one little step closer to just comprehending the utter depths of God's love and humility - the Incarnation, O a mystery unthinkable - that He would take the Fall, just to save our souls - and now to love Him is all, that we can ever know.
:'D
- training really brings benefit. especially training in godliness. It really brings so much benefits, not only as rewards for the life to come, but the life here now too. A godly man will enjoy a good reputation with his fellowmen, and be close in his relationship with God and relationships with people... he'll have much wisdom and whatever he does will prosper, because God is with him. And he'll leave behind a rich legacy, better than all the riches of the world, for those around him...
:D
Shall end off here with this passage from 1 Timothy 4 (MSG):
11-14Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don't let anyone put you down because you're young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use.
15-16Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don't be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation.
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