I was never an athlete. And it wasn’t just a lifestyle choice. I was horrible at anything athletic.
The closest I came to team sports was one brief summer in Little League. That was a disaster; couldn't hit, couldn't run, couldn't pay attention. And my situation wasn't for lack of others trying. I had older cousins who tried to teach me how to hold the bat without choking up, how to run from base to base, how to catch, and how to slide. I actually got pretty good at sliding. But the rest of it ... well.
That left the dreaded Phys-Ed.
Starting in the 7th Grade, we spent a portion of every other school day doing a 40 minute version of whatever sport was in season. In the fall, we played football in PE (didn’t understand the rules, then, so I was always a Lineman). In the winter, we played basketball (couldn't move and dribble; terrible shooter). On rainy days, we played dodgeball (big and slow, easy target). In the spring, we played baseball (see above) or track & field (still hate this).
The rest of the time, we were subjected to a torture called "conditioning." I hated it all: sit-ups, chin-ups, rope climbs, push-ups, running up and down the bleachers. Imitating sports wasn't so bad: you got knocked down, you got up, you got knocked down again; simple. Exercising just to exercise? Madness.
Many of my friends from those years (all of us "back of the pack-ers"), would be shocked to see me these last few years. I joined a gym, hired a trainer, and actually paid someone to lead me in the very physical conditioning activities I hated in PE class.
Why do this? In short: there were things I wanted to do —improve my health, lose weight, shape up— and I needed a coach’s insight to ensure I reached my goals. When I read this week's scriptures, I see a parallel between my time at the gym and the Luke and Acts passages.
When I’m working out, I’m only focused on the moment. My coach, though, is thinking about all of it: where I've been; what I'm doing right then; how that activity moves me toward my objectives; and, of course, what's next.
It's kind of like that for the Apostles in those scriptures. They are told to expect someone who will serve as teacher and guide, someone who will help them achieve the goals set before them. They didn't know what was coming. But they believed the one who told them a helper would come. And they acted from within that belief.
Though I am no longer a gym rat, I still work out. And when I’m nearing the end of my treadmill time —and fading— I am encouraged by the calm voices of my trainers from over the years: "You can do this. Just a bit more. Almost there." They knew what I was capable of; knew how much more I could bring to the task; knew how much more would be required of me before I could rest.
The Spirit is like that with us on our spiritual journey. When the going gets hard, we need to listen for that voice deep inside:
"You can do this. Just a bit more. Almost there."
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PHOTO: the author in full Little League regalia, circa 1959.
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Rise up Friday morning and join us for DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast. We gather on Zoom at 8:00 for an hour of Bible discussion, fellowship, and laughter.
Blessings,
Steve
Contact me for the Zoom link.
NOTE: Zoom allows you to mute the camera if you don’t wish to be seen and to mute the microphone if you don’t wish to speak.
SCRIPTURES FOR THE COMING WEEK
Find them here:
Acts 1:1-11
Psalm 47 or Psalm 93
Ephesians 1:15-23
Luke 24:44-53
Ascension of the Lord (May 13, 2021)
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