August 24th – Pushing It

Taking It to Work:

I am not sure about you, but I have rarely had an easy win when it has come to my spiritual development. Just like a good track or weightlifting coach, God has “pushed me” to longer runs, more reps, and heavier weights. Not because he wanted me to suffer and struggle, but because he wanted me to grow.

I had a buddy of mine I used to bench press with, and when it was my turn, he would stand above me and “spot” me, making sure, that as I grew weaker under the load, he would be there with just enough help to get that weight up again. He never helped me too much, but just barely enough where I still needed to push one hundred percent. And when I had enough, and was ready to quit, he would smile and say, “three more”. I had doubts every time whether that was smart, but I trusted his help would see me through, and I knew he was pushing me for maximum growth, as he should have been.

We all have doubts at times when our lives get heavy, when things go wrong, when the problems pile on, when circumstances weigh us down. This is when we have to remember who is training us. And even though we can’t see Him, who is spotting us.

The truth is, we forget. Not only do we forget that we have a trainer, but we even forget that we are being trained. We equate God’s love with easiness and stress-free leisure. When the weights of life are added again to the bar, we mistakenly view this as the lack of His presence or love.

God’s love can seem non-existent when we find ourselves in difficult, confusing predicaments, or situations that seems pointless, annoying or needlessly painful. The project at work that is not going well, the unexpected flat tire in the morning, or an unforeseen medical of financial emergency – these obstacles along the journey can seem very distant to our spiritual growth, but our Father is using them to strengthen us, that we would be ready to accomplish the heavy lifting He had planned for us to do, as His Word works in you, today.

James 1:2-4 (ESV) – Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Isaiah 41:13 (ESV) – For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV) – My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

Listening to the Holy Spirit (Rhema):

My hand will guide. The journey of the disciple is one of learning. A student finds each new level difficult, so do those who follow Me. I lead you in the way of the wise, that you would not grow dull in your call. He who trains for strength, trains under weight. He who trains for endurance, for length and time. I train My own for great faith and great love. Faith trains under siege from doubt, and the fear of loss breathes as a headwind. Love under sacrifice, against the selfish desires of worldly call. Do not lose heart when you struggle under trial, for in weakness is My strength. Sin shall not prevail. Pride shall be put down. I lead you down the path of the broken, that in the journey you may rise in My image, under siege, but with forward steps advancing, saved for a greater work, trained to become more. Listen not to the voice of doubt, nor wish them gone, for in the effort of continuing amidst them, stronger faith will be yours.