Are You Training Yourself in Godliness?

June 04, 2023

By Brooke Holt

“Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” Collect for the First Sunday after Pentecost (Trinity Sunday), Book of Common Prayer

I have always been interested in health and wellness; however, as I approached my 50th birthday, my interest in how to create health and preserve it grew even more. I appreciate our bodies change with age. If we don’t adjust our diets and lifestyle, we may get some unwanted results. I researched extensively on what changes I needed to incorporate for this new stage of life. My number one take away was the need for regular strength training. To keep muscles strong, fit, and well-functioning, it is imperative to do weight-bearing exercises.

I now do strength training, my least favorite form of exercise, at least twice a week and aim for three to four sessions. Why would I do my least favorite form of exercise? I want to remain steadfast in my health. I want to continue to enjoy this next phase of my life and not be limited by preventable health constrictions. Health is a gift and I greatly value my health, but even more important to me than my health is my worship. I think the same holds true for you.

The Collect for today concurs. Today, we pray that God would grant us grace to remain steadfast in faith and worship. The goal of this faith and worship exceeds the blessing of good health through the latter years of life - that we may see the Lord in the fullness of his glory for eternity.

Every aspect of your being craves glory whether or not you acknowledge it. No greater glory in heaven or earth exists than the glory of the triune God. When you see the glory of a sunset or sunrise, you know of a glory even greater – the glory of the One who created the sunset and the sunrise. We will experience no joy like the incomparable joy of beholding the Lord in the fullness of his glory.

This life serves as a training session for what is yet to come. Are you training yourself in godliness that looks beyond this temporal world and into the eternal world? Just like muscles, faith requires training, focus, and discipline. Thus, we pray from The Collect, “Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory”.

Reflection:

What kind of training regimen might the Lord be calling you into today? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Recommended Resource:

Our honest prayer before God is evidence that we understand the ways He loves, cherishes, sees, and hears us. Through prayer, we can acknowledge with Hagar, “You are the living One who sees me” (Genesis 16:14). When we pray, we are affirming the same. Why do we often hide from this privilege? Why do we avoid God, the One who sees us as we are and stands ready to provide and answer us in his holy, timely way? In this 8-week study on the prayers of Job, Ruth, Hannah, and David, grow your prayer life by facing your honest need and bringing your whole self before God. Acknowledging God as the One who guides your path can change your heart. It can take you past fear and into faith, strength, and hope. Learn more about Honest Prayer.