Chasing Shadows

Chasing Shadows

Colossians 2: ¹⁶ So let no one make rules about what you eat or drink or about holy days or the New Moon Festival or the Sabbath. ¹⁷ All such things are only a shadow of things in the future; the reality is Christ.

 

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When I realized that my life was really, really messed up, I tried to do “right.” I started praying and reduced sins. Soon I found myself living only by “the rules.” When something else went wrong, I wondered which rule I broke to deserve a trial.

 

• I was trying to control my life.
• I was tired of things going “wrong” so I tried being “good.”
• I wound up living for the rules versus living for CHRIST.

 

Paul addressed an issue that is still going on to this very day. People worshipped food and argued over which day was holier than the next. While there may have been some merit in following “the rules” for the individual, it paled in comparison to the one solid truth, namely JESUS.

 

My Observations

• GOD’s Word is there to guide me and comfort me.
• GOD wants me to place my faith in JESUS versus being disappointed when I don’t follow the rules correctly.
• GOD wants me excited enough to tell others about JESUS instead of telling people how to “live right.”

 

JESUS is the destination. I mean, when I get caught up in trying to “be holy” I place more trust in myself, than on HIS forgiveness. JESUS paid it all. All to HIM I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain. HE washed it white as snow.

 

M destination needs to change. When I focus on what JESUS did and wants to do, it changes my wants. HE did away with all my mistakes and is in control of all my situations. I gladly live for HIM and know HE is my Savior.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer use “shadow” in the description? 
• Have you ever tried to measure how good you are by the number of rules you follow?
• Will you seek placing JESUS over everything in your life so you can be satisfied with how things are going right now and so HE can reveal people HE wants to draw to HIMSELF today?

 

I trained my “hope” to be solid!

1 Timothy 4: ⁸ For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. ⁹ This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. ¹⁰ That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

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“One more rep” my spotter hollered as my exhausted arms could take no more. It was only a few weeks before the bodybuilding competition and each muscle had to be right. I looked down at my calves and thought “I wonder how implants would look?”

• Exercise is great for the body.
• There is benefit to working out and eating right.
• The more I exercise the better I sleep which only helps my day.

Diet and exercise season is right around the corner. After the overindulgent holidays are over we quickly try to work off the pounds to “look good” for the summer. This has some benefit so how can I apply the principles of working out to godliness?

• Training for godliness takes a little work.
• Training for godliness means reading and pondering the truths of CHRIST.
• Training for godliness means praying confessional prayers to our LORD and savior.
• Training for godliness means serving others in spite of my troubles.
• Training for godliness means believing GOD loves me and died just for me.
• Training for godliness gives me hope.

During my training, GOD will use trials and trouble to make me stronger. Each trial is like another rep and each troubled night is like a diet. Over the years, I have noticed a certain closeness with GOD during trials and trouble.

I have also noticed each time I emerge out of a trial or trouble, I am so much stronger in faith than when I went in. HE shows me that HE is in control and the more I believe in HIM “during” trials the stronger my faith will grow.

• Are you tired of your faith fading in and out?
• Do you want true faith that can stare in the face of adversity?
• Can you begin training your “hope” while exercising your body this season?