SPIRITUAL CROSS TRAINING

For the past two weeks, our TV has been tuned to the Olympics, watching the winter sports event from S. Korea. My love of the Olympics began in elementary school, when one of my teachers introduced the event to us. I love watching young people from all over the world compete together in a spirit of good will.

There was a tipping point, over the years, when the athletes were no longer older than me. This was not a happy moment! Instead of dreaming about being an Olympic athlete (doesn’t everyone?!), there came a time when I “aged out” of the Olympics (except for maybe the luge). The Olympics were reserved for younger people who were dedicated in their commitment to better themselves in order to be the best in their sport. Once they reached for the gold, it seems they either became Olympic commentators, coaches, or simply slipped out of the public eye.

As United Methodists, we know we don’t peak early in our discipleship. John Wesley reminded us, we are “moving on to perfection.” But for many of us, our continued growth as Christians slowed sometime early in our lives. We have forgotten that every day is an opportunity to deepen our spirituality, expand the sharing of God’s love, and follow more closely the ways of Jesus.

This is the season of Lent, a time to prepare ourselves for Easter through prayer, fasting, study and self-examination. It is a time of Cross Training, of preparing ourselves for the risks of discipleship by committing ourselves more fully to Christ and community, no matter what it might cost us.

Whenever you enter worship, be prepared for a spiritual workout. May your soul be stretched. May your heart discover that it can hold still more love than you thought possible. May you fall head over heels in love with God all over again, and then leave to put into practice what you’ve learned.

The Christian walk is rigorous. It is demanding. It at times feels as if we are pushed beyond what is comfortable or even possible. But keep your eyes on the cross, and then the empty tomb. With God, nothing is impossible. Dare to be your very best, for God’s sake. Day after day after day, dare to be your very best self.