My Fitbit vibrated and celebrated my high heart rate, and the 31 minutes I was in “fat burn” mode. I burned 236 calories with an average bpm of 124 after 49 minutes of strength training. You understand the pleasure such numbers can bring for those who exercise, especially for a 57-year-old. My youthful trainer smiled and talked me through the workout, demonstrating his own exercise lifestyle. During some more complex movements, my trainer reminded me that “if it is burning, then it is working.” It must have been working because I was burning. I found myself having to tell myself to keep going because the burn was uncomfortable at times. So uncomfortable that my mind had to decide whether to complete the moves, and then my body had to follow. My vibrating Fitbit congratulated my endurance, and I embraced the truth that for exercise to work, it had to burn.
This truth is seen in spiritual exercise for those who do not engage in physical exercise. Every believer is called to a life of discipline.
” Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. (1 Co 9:24–27).
All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Hebrews 12:11
I have found that discipline can be challenging physically, but it can be a challenge spiritually too. It is challenging because it costs us something. The cost may be varied but is invariably painful, and every believer must ask herself whether or not she can make it through the burn. The burn comes when the Word calls us to obedience. Our mind has to decide to obey, and then our body must follow. The burn can become more uncomfortable when the Word reproves or corrects us, and we can forget that it can work when it burns.
My Fitbit celebration was a nice indicator that disciplining my body was worth it. But, the more significant indicator of the worth of spiritual discipline is the result of Christ being formed in me. I am His image-bearer, and through the “burn” which obedience can produce, I am made more like Him.
Spiritual Truth for Everyday Living:
Obedience to the Word of God can be painful, but it will always yield good results;
Obedience to the Word of God will cost the believer something, whether that be time, reputation, relationships, etc.;
Obedience to the Word of God is the only way to look more like Christ, just like physical exercise shapes the physical body, obedience shapes one’s body spiritually.
The cost of physical exercise is expensive but worth it, and many count the cost. The cost of spiritual exercise is more costly, and many are not willing to experience the burn. In the years of teaching the Word and discipling others, I have found that the “burn” of spiritual exercise is avoided. The calling to believers, especially today, is to count the cost, and, in doing so, the body begins to look more and more like Christ. And that is worth it!
Great truths!