May 1, 2007

Every Friday night I make pizza and Greg and I rent a movie. It is never so clear how different my husband and I are than when we are in the video store, trying to agree on a movie. I can’t stand weird-o science fiction movies (which he loves) and he doesn’t particularly enjoy sappy romance movies (which I love). So, we have to find that happy medium – not an easy task, especially when 75% of the movies are trash. We have actually left the store empty handed on more than one occasion.

Our solution this past Friday night was to go the “old school” route. To my husband’s amazement, I had never seen a Rocky movie, so we left the store with Rocky I in hand. Being the girly-girl that I am, I was a little skeptical. He was thrilled.

Did I like it? Let’s just say I made my husband rent Rocky II on Saturday and we plan on getting through III and IV this weekend. I can’t get the theme song out of my head and have this strange desire to put on a gray sweat suit and run up some stairs!

Is there anything we as Christian women can learn from Rocky Balboa? I think so. I want you to consider three obvious themes running throughout Rocky movies: discipline, hardship, and endurance. These same themes can be found in God’s Word. In 2 Timothy 2, Paul uses three different metaphors to describe the Christian life: a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer. He writes, “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops . . . I suffer hardship as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory” (vs. 3-6, 9, 10). Isn’t it interesting that Paul compares the Christian life to those occupations that require the most discipline, involve the most hardship, and demand the most endurance? It is quite clear that he wanted to drive a particular point home to Timothy – the point that God never intended ministry (or the Christian life) to be easy. Those who are willing to labor hard will reap the greatest reward.

Second Timothy 2 is a challenging passage for me. I’ve got to be honest and tell you that the greatest hindrance to my spiritual growth is laziness. I make a much better couch potato (HGTV anyone?) than I do a soldier, athlete, or farmer. For instance, I know that spending time each morning soaking in God’s Word is of utmost importance, but some days it seems so hard to set everything aside and just do it. I also know that in order to be an effective teacher of the Bible, I must devote several hours and then some to studying the particular passage I am planning on teaching. However, I am constantly confronted with the temptation to do the bare minimum and just “wing it.” This past week I have been particularly convicted of the fact that I do not memorize Scripture on a regular basis. Why don’t I? It’s hard! It takes time! I want to be a godly woman, but I’m not always willing to do the work. I want to step into the ring and claim victory without enduring any of the training (just so you know, that’s a good way to get creamed by the enemy!). What I have learned is that there are no shortcuts to godliness. In God’s training academy, discipline, hardship, and endurance are required courses, not electives. As we take those courses, God is glorified and we are thoroughly equipped to step into the ring and fight whatever battles might come our way.

Please don’t get me wrong – I am not encouraging a duty-based, legalistic, check-list type of Christianity. As we labor, our delight must be in the Lord Himself, not in all of the stuff we do for Him. What I’m saying is that if we want to be the women God has called us to be, we’ve got to get busy. We have to gear up and start training, not in our own strength, but with the strength that God provides through the power of His Spirit who dwells in every believer. One of my favorite passages is Philippians 2:12, 13 which says, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work according to His good pleasure.” We must work hard, staying ever mindful that we do not work alone – God is the source of our strength. We work with HIS energy.

We have an important mission to fulfill (see Matthew 28:19, 20) and spiritual battles to fight. You and I have been called to live lives that reflect the worth and beauty of our Savior. We have sat on our rear ends for too long. It’s time to get up and gear up for the glory of God!

• What are some examples of spiritual laziness in your life?
• How has spiritual laziness negatively impacted your life?
• Reflect on Philippians 2:12, 13. Ask God to grant you the energy and desire to diligently work out your salvation day-to-day. Thank Him for enabling you to become the godly woman that you desire to be.