That was the title of the Family Bible Church’s float in last night’s Christmas Parade in downtown Martinsburg. We wanted to take the real message to the world. It’s super easy to completely lose the real message this time of year — twinkling lights, pretty packages, parties and all. This reminder was not just for the parade-watchers, but it was also a reminder for us parade-walkers too. Jesus is the Greatest Gift given to us by God the Father. All else pales in comparison.
This morning’s get up and get going was a little slower. I think it probably is for most of my church family who worked so hard on loading and unloading hay, moving the trailer, wrapping packages, making bows, arranging the gifts on the float, securing the gifts on the float, decorating the float, crawling around, tying signs, running home for this, running to church for that, etc. It was hard work and we used many muscles we’re not used to moving. And then…we had to actually walk in the parade! Again, sets of muscles we may not be used to using. A mile walk , up hill and down, thankfully it was a straight shot.
But as I creaked out of bed this morning, being reminded of the muscles I didn’t know I had, I also thought about Paul’s instruction to Timothy:
Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers. 1 Timothy 4:7
It made me wonder, are there spiritual muscles I don’t know I have? You know, muscles I haven’t used in a while or even at all, spiritual muscles that need to be worked, or worked more so that I’m not stiff and limping along in my faith? Preparing in and walking in a parade is a once-a-year-thing, frankly, my muscles should be aching a bit.
But, preparing for and walking with Jesus in His Way, should not make me too achy. If it does, maybe there are some faith muscles I need to be exercising more. Maybe reading my Bible a bit more, spending time in prayer with the Lord a bit more, serving a bit more? When it gets right down to it, the more we read our Bibles, spend time in prayer, fellowship with Christian friends encouraging one another — have fun and cry with one another, the more our spiritual muscles will grow. We will creak a little less, hurt a little less, grow a bit more. When the world sees us easily moving about in our faith, speaking Jesus, trusting in God, relying on the Holy Spirit to teach, guide and intervene at the Throne on our behalf, living the peace only He can offer, they may take notice of Him.
Exercising our spiritual muscles isn’t just for the present, just so we can get through the parade, but it prepares us for the future so that we may easierly (is that a word?) walk the road that God calls us to with Love.
