Energy

Stamina

Last week, I reflected on the frantic pace of our modern lives. Living in the fast lane also means that everyday requires enormous amounts of energy. But it is not enough just to have intermittent bursts of dynamic output. We must continue to put out energy day after day. This reminds me of the Energizer battery commercials. The mascot electric bunny just keeps going and going and going because he has the right power source. 

The secret to having stamina over the long term is really about finding that pace that we talked about last week. But, over time that pace can and should increase as we get into shape. Stamina is not a weekend project, but rather, the result of incremental changes over the long term. This is not only true in regard to our bodies and our schedules but also our spiritual walk.

Power

I’m sure that most of us can point to mountain top spiritual experiences in our lives when God caused us to grow in dramatic ways almost overnight. However, the testimony of Scripture and the path of experience have taught me that spiritual growth and vitality come through daily discipline in the means of grace that God has given to us. Even the Lord Jesus told us to take up our cross daily (Luke 9:23). There is no path to experiencing and knowing the truly all powerful God apart from His prescribed means.

So what are these means? First of course is that we need to avail ourselves of His communication to us. God has revealed Himself to us in the person of the Lord Jesus and we find this revelation in the Scriptures. That’s a long way of saying read and study your Bible. Second, we must be people of prayer. I know the busier and less energetic we feel makes us think that we do not have the time or strength to pray. But when we are busy and tired is when we most need to turn to God and cast our burdens on Him (1 Peter 5:7). Third, we need to go to church. In this one many means are bundled together. We need to hear the word of God explained and exposited for us. We also need to be exhorted and spurred on toward obedience. We also need to be encouraged and comforted by the loving relationships we have with our local church family. We also need to be nourished spiritually when eating the Lord’s Supper as well as physically breaking bread in fellowship with our brethren in the church. We need to hear testimonies and witness baptisms and experience the fullness of church life with God’s covenant people.

Only when we are using God’s provide means can we expect God’s promised provision. Scripture, supplication, and saints are at the heart of God’s good gifts given to us to participate in the grace that we have in Jesus Christ.

Rest

God ultimately gives us rest! Rest is what God promised His people. This is not lounging around on the beach but rather the rest of the need to earn God’s favor. In the days of the Old Covenant what was proved conclusively is that fallen man cannot and will not achieve righteousness according to the law. But God has promised rest for everyone who will cease their pitiful working and trust solely in Jesus Christ as our only righteousness (Hebrews 4:1-13).

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