I love it when things in my life inform things I read in the Bible—and vice versa!
This was one of those weeks.
I’m doing a slow read of Hebrews, really digging into how the verses build on one another. In other words, considering each one as part of the whole letter.
At the same time, I’ve been doing some research reading.
And I agreed to do two classes at the new strength training gym where my daughter-in-law works as they get ready to open to the public.
How do these all fit together (beyond the title of this blog post)?
First, I read these verses in Hebrews 12.
I’d never thought of this verse in terms of what comes before it, but Hebrews 12:4-11 is all about God’s discipline. When I read those verses in the past, I always considered that “discipline” to mean punishment. And while that is part of it, I don’t think that’s the main point. I think the “discipline” of the Lord is also the other definitions of the word: behavior in accordance with rules; activities engaged in to improve oneself; self-control; a specific field of study; and, yes, punishment or reproof for not keeping the rules.
But when I look at discipline according to the majority of its definitions, Hebrews 12:12-13 suddenly takes on more concrete and comprehensible meaning. In fact, as I read the whole passage a few times, I got the picture of spiritual physical therapy—taking weak or lame limbs and exercising them to gain strength and healing. In other words, working at my sanctification, as it says in Hebrews 12:14. Exercising my spirit to become more like Jesus. And bonus–physical therapy usually requires someone else to help us, so this happens alone and in community!
While spiritual discipline is far more important than the exercise of our bodies and minds, I saw encouragement to take from these things I work on more consistently and apply them to the exercise of my spiritual muscles and joints.
When I think of these other types of exercise, I realize how much I push through new and hard things. I did some research this week on the early Roman Empire, specifically the eastern part of it. I know very little about this history, so it really stretched my mind to comprehend new things. I do this often for my mind—taking classes or reading about or attempting new things. So why do I resist such exercise in my spiritual life? It’s good to learn new things, even to hear new perspectives on things. If I can exercise my physical mind with research and reading, being willing to take on new subjects and perspectives, how much more should I do the same to exercise my spiritual being?
The same week, I went to the two strength training classes. I am big on cardio, and I love playing pickleball, but weight training is something I have rarely attempted. And let me tell you, these two classes were no joke! It was unfamiliar and uncomfortable. And I was so sore afterwards! But I did it despite all that. Why? Because I love my daughter-in-law, and she asked me to!
That truth hit me hard: I did something I knew would cause me pain because of my love for her.
How much more should I do the same in my spiritual life? My love for God should compel me to discipline my spirit toward His instructions and desires, even if I know it won’t feel comfortable, won’t be easy, and might even cause the pain of working muscles that are weak.
Then the message of Hebrews clarified for me. Did you know that exercising anything requires faith? Faith that the exercise will change us. That the pain will lead us to strength, whether of body, mind, or character.
Without faith—the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things unseen (Hebrews 11:1)—we have no endurance, no motivation to keep going even when nothing seems to be happening or what we want to be happening isn’t.
But God, through the writer of Hebrews, tells us that we are to be like the men and women who “gained approval through their faith” but “did not receive what was promised” (Hebrews 11:39) And like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were “seeking a country of their own” (Hebrews 11:14), yet not on this earth but in heaven. (Hebrews 11:16)
It can be hard to believe any discipline—body, mind, or spirit—is worth the effort. But God tells us it is so. And if we love Him and live to please Him, then this is the path we walk with Him. The same one Jesus did. A life of discipline in submission to the Father.
Are you avoiding some part of disciplining your body, mind, or spirit because you don’t want to endure the temporary pain of growing stronger? Are there things you need to commit to do differently in order to facilitate that growth?