Training vs Trying

I love Rocky movies.  At least, Rocky movies one through four.  After that I think the well ran dry.  One of the things I liked best about the Rocky movies was the many unusual ways Rocky would train for a boxing match. 

Rocky did quirky stuff like chasing chickens and pounding slabs of raw beef.  He lifted buckets filled with rocks, ran through ocean waves and across sandy beaches, up steep flights of stairs in Philadelphia, and through deep snow drifts in Siberia.  He pulled his entourage around in an old wooden ox cart.  Once he even learned to dance. 

Each Rocky movie had its own personality and offbeat training scenes.  Yet, each movie shared a common issue.  Before he was to get in the ring for a big fight, something would happen to make Rocky lose focus.  His emotions would range between being scared or indifferent to being dedicated and inspired.  At the last possible minute, Rocky would always regain his desire to compete and once again become … The Italian Stallion.  

There is an immense difference between “training” and “trying” to accomplish a task or goal.  Dallas Willard writes about how he would hear messages that would inspire him.  He would then “try” hard to be a more patient, kindhearted, and forgiving person, but instead he ended up exhausted and defeated.  (Dallas Willard – The Spirit of the Disciplines) 

Scripture encourages us in 1 Corinthians 9, “to run your race to win … run straight to the goal with purpose in every step.  Don’t be like a boxer who misses his punches.  Discipline yourself, like an athlete, to do what you should.”  1 Timothy 4:7 says to “train ourselves in Godliness.”  Maturity and growth (whether it is mental, physical, emotional, or spiritual), does not happen without a degree of effort. 

If we look closely at Scripture, it says to make it a goal, not self-punishment.  It also helps to have training partners to inspire us and hold us accountable.  Rocky had his trainer Mick to help him make plans, and at times, to challenge him.  Rocky also had his wife, Adrian, who was quiet and supportive, but she was also strong enough to make demands of him. Rocky also had many others who steadily encouraged him and kept him on the championship pathway.

We all need to train in our own unique way and at our own pace.  The idea though, is simply to train.  And sometimes we need to train with others who are in need of our encouragement, the same way we need theirs.  Rocky couldn’t win the prize alone and neither can we. 

At CityLinC, our social workers, staff, and administrators, are always working and preparing to be better at our jobs.  Together, we are training partners.   We often collaborate together, we rejoice together, and sometimes, we suffer together.  My prayer this week is for all of us to enjoy our journey together while we work hard to improve at the same time.   

With grace,

Pastor Mike Howard