We Must Be in Training
Faith
is a gift from God; a free gift, but it is a muscle and is to be exercised!
In the exercising of that muscle we gain experience. In the Bible for
Today’s Family, released by the American Bible Society, Romans 5:3-5,
includes these words, “we know that suffering helps us to endure
and endurance builds character which gives us a hope that will never disappoint
us...” Character building is not always a fun exercise, but, by
the Holy Spirit’s empowering, character building produces hope.
In that passage from Romans, Paul uses a wonderful phrase, “because
we know”. Certainty, what a prize! To be certain, to be confidant,
to be free from doubt comes from the exercise of faith. I used to lead
our company in a regular program of exercise. After a period of time away,
I hopped up in front of everybody to take the group through some warm-ups.
I was appalled! I couldn’t do them and breathe...or even think of
breathing! There were muscles in my body from whom I had not heard in
years who were now sending telegrams of great distress. As Christians
some of us are puffing and groaning in the Christian walk because we are
not regularly exercising our faith muscles. That’s the experience
that leads to the certainty of hope. Hebrews 5:14 “...the mature,
who because of practice have their senses trained...”
Excerpt
from "Jeannette Clift George, From Center Stage"
