Dealing with core training while running the race

Acts 18:23-28 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. ²⁴ Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. ²⁵ He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. ²⁶ He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. ²⁷ When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. ²⁸ For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

Meb Keflezighi, the 2009 New York City Marathon winner and Olympic silver medalist shares some tips to be a better distance runner. One of his top tips is “do more than just run.” Being a great runner “is not just about the running part,” he says. “It’s about having a strong core. My high school coach would not let us leave practice until we did 50 push-ups and 125 sit-ups. Doing strength training is going to help your core be stronger, and that will make you run more efficiently.”

Many people only train a portion of their body. Runners often only workout on the treadmill or the leg presses or squats. But then they neglect their arms and back muscles. People who are concerned about their arm strength use curls, the bench press or pull-ups to make themselves stronger. But then they neglect their legs and back.

That’s why many trainers now stress core training. The core muscles help control movements, transfer energy, shift body weight and move in any direction. Core conditioning targets all the muscle groups to be an effective athlete, no matter what the sport.

Apollos is an interesting fellow in the New Testament. He came from Alexandria in Egypt. He was a follower of John the Baptist’s disciples and was an eloquent speaker with an impressive knowledge of the Scriptures. He came to know God through the baptism of John and taught John’s message wherever he traveled. Although Apollos knew his Old Testament Scriptures well, the true depth of his theological knowledge was shallow. He only knew about a promised Messiah who was coming. In terms of athletic training, we might say that Apollos was only training one half of his body.

But then while in Ephesus, God used a married couple, Aquila and Priscilla, to share the message that Jesus was that promised Messiah. They took Apollos aside and taught him the whole gospel. This must have been very exciting for Apollos, who had such a fervent desire for knowledge. It would bring to completion the open-endedness of John the Baptist’s message of preparation. In terms of athletic training, we could say that Aquila and Priscilla were doing core training with Apollos. Then God used Apollos who became a dynamic pastor/leader of the church in Corinth.

Sadly, we often like to only train a portion of our faith. We come to church where we can hear Scripture lessons and a sermon, but skip Sunday School and Bible Class where we can ask questions. We do the homework for Christ Light or confirmation classes, but fail to do the accompanying family devotions with our parents. We memorize Bible passages because we have to, but then don’t pick up and read our Bible just because we get to.

When we do these kinds of things, we are only training a portion of our faith. Can we still get to heaven with only knowing a little? Yes, but it is a dangerous game to play. Especially when our eternity is at stake. Rather than asking, “how little can I know and believe and still get to heaven,” we should ask, “why settle for anything less than the fullness of God’s knowledge contained in the Bible?”

We want to know as much of the Bible as we can. That’s why when we are at camp we begin each morning with devotions and Morning Praise, we spend 45 minutes studying about Paul’s missionary journey, and end each day with devotion and prayer. In the meantime, we say our prayers and sing God’s praises. We read and listen and speak God’s Word because it is in the Bible where God speaks to us. God does not critize us about our bad behavior. Rather, He corrects our sin and then announces our forgiveness. The Bible isn’t a lecture by God so much as it is a love letter from our heavenly Father. These are precious words from Creator to creation, from Father to child, from Savior to sinner. Why wouldn’t we want to hear as much of it as possible, and as often as possible? Then God is training our core faith.

Questions:

What are some ways you can train your faith?

Who is God using to help train you?

Is he using you to train someone else?

 

Prayer:

Lord, we are interested in what you have to say to us in your Word. We are interested in discovering more, growing in our faith, learning your promises and research believers of old. Let your Word change, train and develop us, all to your glory. Amen.