How I Train for Spiritual Strength
Guest post by Stephen Robinson
I took this picture along E Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive on a training run last week with my wife.
The past couple years, Sue has invited me to write guest posts on different life lessons learned while I have trained for and competed in Ironman competitions. Once again, I am in training mode—this time for Ironman 70.3 Coeur d’Alene 2022, which will be held June 26th, and Ironman Waco [Texas] in October.
When I made the commitment to train for challenging competitions such as Ironman, I knew I wanted to train not only for physical stamina, but I also wanted to build spiritual strength. One way I do that is in the early morning before I run, bike, or swim, I spend time reading and studying the Bible.
When preparing to write this guest Listening on the Journey … blog post, I asked Sue if I could focus on a recent aspect of important spiritual training, and she graciously agreed.
Many years ago, my friend and pastor, Gary, taught me a method of journaling called SOAP, which has changed the way I read the Bible.
Rather than just checking a box after reading, this method forces me to slow down, and:
(S) - write down a Scripture that really stuck out to me.
(O) – write my observation. What did this Scripture mean to me?
(A) – write down what I will do as a result of these verses. What will be the application?
(P) – finally, I write out my prayer.
Below is an excerpt from my Scripture reading the other day that really resonated with me. The story was the account of Jesus healing ten lepers. It began:
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.
Luke 17:15-16
The next two verses really stuck out to me in this story, and they were the (S) Scripture on which I focused.
So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”
Luke 17:17-18
This was my (O) Observation:
I wonder if I were one of the ten lepers, after being healed, would I be the one to return and thank Jesus or would I be like the nine and continue on with life as I often do today? When I have experienced Jesus’ mercy and grace and my sins are forgiven, do I pause long enough to thank him or do I keep on with my life barely giving it a second thought?
Perhaps I do with the big things, but in the daily, am I taking time to show my appreciation? Am I taking for granted the forgiveness of my sins, or answers to my prayers? Am I pausing long enough in the busyness of life to thank Jesus for everything He has done in me and through me?
Observation is good, but it’s not enough. What will be the (A) application of these challenging thoughts?
In my quiet time on Sunday mornings take time to reflect on my week, to ask the question, “what am I thankful for?” What did the Lord do in my life that I need to write down and also, give thanks for, whether big or small?
I don’t know your daily rhythms to train for strengthening your spiritual life, but I hope that as you read this, you will consider how the SOAP method might work for you. Perhaps you’ll start with this same passage of Scripture (S) and consider how you will handle Jesus' forgiveness in your own life. What are your observations (O)? What application (A) will you make?
Finally, this was the (P) prayer I wrote:
Jesus,
I don't always take forgiveness as seriously as I should. Too often, I don’t take time to fully comprehend the seriousness of my sin and the saving grace you so generously give.
I realize I don’t always humble myself in thanksgiving and praise. I love a good worship set, but am I singing with joy and adoration for the forgiveness of my sins or because I really love the words, melody, and rhythm?
Sometimes, I confess, I do the same thing as those nine lepers who were healed and then ran off to enjoy their new life before stopping to say thank you.
Thank you for this important reminder this morning from your Word.
Amen
Thanks for reading this post today, and thank you, Sue, for giving me this opportunity to share my heart.
I got caught in rain showers on a training run. Photo credit: my wife who joined me for this run.
Blessings on your journey!