Training Camp #3

“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. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.” 1 Timothy 4:8-10.

This has always been one of my favorite verses, even before thinking about this new set of articles about training camp. In my life I've had a number of great counselors and teachers, individuals who have helped me to grow my spiritual life, and all of them have said the exact same thing; keep the word of God before you on a regular basis. That's why this one verse over the next 6 weeks should begin to be part of our thinking.

Growing up in West Central Minnesota allowed me the opportunity to experience something while going to a public school called "release time." Once a week we would leave school and travel (by bus or by foot, depending on where it was located within the community) to your church for an hour during school for biblical training. Not very many schools have this type of opportunity any longer as part of the daily or weekly schedule.

In 2024 now more than ever it is important that we recognize the vital need for the public school system, and the greater community, to honor God's word and its priority for a healthy society. I'm sure you remember somebody, years back, saying, "it takes a village." Well, it takes a church, which is the best training camp for a community, neighborhood, home, family to succeed. Many of us can remember when the normal week of church activity included Sunday school, morning worship, Sunday evening service, mid-week family service, and then one other time during the week focusing toward women, men, young adults, etc. All of these touch points were part of a healthy, growing, vibrant church.

Football training camp is 6 days a week, and everything that is taught, rehearsed, experienced at training camp is meant to be carried throughout the regular season. Organized camp is just for a season, nevertheless for us as Christians, training camp has a sense of 24/7/365 until Jesus returns or he takes us home. Listen to the Holy Spirit, maybe you need to get back to the fundamentals of your faith. Training camp is the development of core fundamentals that carry us through life. Training camp is not always fun, but the results are worth it, no different than beginning an exercise regimen, or healthier eating habits or a healthier lifestyle. The beginning is always the most difficult, but the results are worth the effort.

Currently the church in America is bordering on being anemic. What does it mean to be anemic? A routine blood test is able to measure how many healthy red blood cells you have within a measured volume of your circulatory system. When you are anemic, your blood is low on oxygen and it is difficult to gain or retain strength. Physical illustrations can help us to understand spiritual truths (which is very descriptive your spiritual life being low on the breath of God). Training camp is a great place to get into physical shape, mental shape, emotional shape and most importantly, spiritual shape. Every year I am required to take a physical through the VA, and they send a report back to me, indicating the condition of various health markers. Thankfully, every year my numbers are good. Usually, one or two can use a little improvement but most of them are in the normal range. Maybe it's time for us to have a spiritual check-up, and look at the health of our "body."