My husband has started working with a trainer at the gym—and for the first time, his rectus abdominis is showing—in other words, he’s getting a six pack. Although he’s always worked out with weights, he’s never had a trainer helping him with the best way to develop his muscles.
Since we’re called to exercise our faith daily, perhaps it’s important to have a good trainer for spiritual exercise as well! And who better to tell us how to train spiritually than Jesus’ half-brother, Jude, who became a follower after Jesus’ resurrection?
In the book of Jude, he tells us how to build up ourselves in our “most holy faith.”
Here’s my Spiritual Exercise Program based on what Jude writes:
1. HAND OVER HEART:
To build our faith, we must know its truths and commit to them. So we need to read God’s word, listen to those who know God’s word, and ask God to guide us in his truth.
2. HANDS CLASPED:
Jude calls us to pray in the Holy Spirit, who intercedes for us even when we don’t know what to pray. One of my favorite ways to pray is to read aloud scripture as my prayer.
3. HAND-IN-HAND:
Jude tells us to stay right in the center of God’s love. That means we don’t look elsewhere for the love that only God can give. And we don’t wander off aimlessly into territory outside God’s boundaries. Instead, we walk, hand-in-hand, with the one who loves us most.
4. REACHING HANDS:
We’re called to wait for the mercy of Jesus that leads to our new life in the next age. So, we reach toward the hope found in Jesus alone, no matter our circumstances. When they’re good, we don’t forget Jesus, and when they’re bad, we don’t blame Jesus. We wait, knowing the truth of our faith that one day God will make all things right.
It’s never too early to start training! As we work to build our faith, may we strengthen the spiritual muscles that help us live and love in this age!