Get Into Shape

We all have a dream or many dreams. We have a dream job, a dream house, dream spouse, a dream to get healthy or lose weight, The American Dream, a dream to be someone, encourage someone, a dream to help, serve, know. The list could go on and on. We dream for others. We dream for our family, our friends, or children. At a minimum, if we are followers of Christ, we dream to introduce others to Christ so they know what we know. No matter what the dream is, or how many we have, chasing those dreams requires getting into shape.

Dreams require training, endurance, wisdom, good judgments, and stewardship in their beginnings and certainly their success.

If you dream of running a marathon, you will need training in running, pacing, breathing, and many other things. If you dream of a great marriage, you need training in good communication, compromise, dedication, commitment, leadership, following, sharing, service, and many other things. If you have a dream house you will need training in diligence with finances, architecture, real estate, construction, and many other things. If you dream of introducing others to Christ, you first need to know him and kindle your relationship with him on a regular basis. Most of us don’t argue with training for a marathon, but we rarely sign up or even recognize the training we need before saying “I do” or launching a mega church before we have even served at the one we grew up in.

Blessed are those who are disciplined by God:

“Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to GOD! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health; your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor GOD with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst; your wine vats will brim over. But don’t, dear friend, resent GOD’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that GOD corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this.” Proverbs 3:5-12

Proverbs 22:15 says “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.” Folly is defined as the lack of good sense or judgment. Rejoice. Rejoice!! Rejoice that God drives away the folly from us! The bad judgment to marry someone because “it seems like the next step” or to launch a mega church because they seem to have cool graphics when you know nothing about graphic design may fool you into thinking these things are good choices at the time, but it wouldn't be very long before you found yourself and any friends you had at the start, miserable and defeated.

What if you waited for God’s training to get you to the place where you were ready for those dreams? What if you knew that the girl or guy you met was the iron to sharpen you? What if you had spent several years practicing graphic design at the church you are in now? What if God had built up your strength and endurance so that once you finally had your hands on your dreams you wouldn't get fatigued and drop all you had? Where would David have been if he had been made King the day he was first told he would be King? What if he hadn't learned how to Sheppard a flock like a king would manage a kingdom, or face several giants/fears like a king would defend a kingdom?

Reading the message version of Hebrews 12 there was literally the phrase “No extra spiritual fat” Allow the time, energy, and devotion God is calling you to and through to get you ready for your dream, HIS dream!

Reading on in Hebrews 12: “My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline, but don’t be crushed by it either. It’s the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects. God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn't punishment; it’s training!” Training often comes with discomfort as your heart, mind, soul, and body get into shape and become capable of endurance. Practice in a different, perhaps even new, way loving God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and body. God gave you these dreams; he will see them to completion. You do not want your dream to mimic 15 minutes of fame that flees from you. You want your dream to endure, which will require endurance.