“Blessed is the one who follows God’s ways! The one who delights in the Word of the Lord and meditates on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do”.
Psalm 1:1-3 (paraphrased)
The best part about high school football was being a band nerd. Mainly because we’d go out in the early morning to practice our routine and watch the players having their first round of two a days! Thankful that band nerds didn’t have to work quite so hard, it was none the less painful to watch the disciplined intensity of the players as they built their strength and learned to navigate problems, distractions, and fight through fatigue together.
Having never actually participated in a two a day myself, it was still rewarding to see the results of the players’ hard work. The time they spent before and after a full day of school not only showed on the field through their team work, but it also showed in their character and their loyalty off the field. The bond they formed apparently was a strong bond that can only be formed by spending such focused time together.
Now, I’m not going to say that our Carter Eagles were the champs of the champs, but they were champs just because they worked hard, fought hard, and played hard. The spirit they brought to the games was a sweet return for time well spent.
As time has gone on, I have progressed to embracing a different kind of two a day. A regiment that even I can participate in. “Blessed is the one who delights in the Word of the Lord and meditates on it day and night”.
Blessed! Let’s start by understanding that being blessed is having the favor of God upon us. Experiencing His presence, His strength, His guidance, and His Power. Being blessed is discovering God’s answers to our problems. Our divine weapon in fighting our challenges. Our antidote to our own humanity. We are blessed when God delights in us because we delight in Him.
In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5), Jesus describes to us the characteristics of those who are blessed; those who realize their need for Jesus, those who mourn sin in themselves and in those around them, those who are humble and hunger for righteousness. Those who are merciful and who strive to be pure in heart and holy. Those who work toward peace and endure being mocked for right living.
Now we don’t just awaken one day with the aha moment of perfection. No, these characteristics come at a cost. We have to do our part to allow God to work in us and through us. And our part is “to meditate and delight in His Word, day and night”. (My part honestly, must be delighting in His Word more than I delight in my breakfast or my late night snack)!
But in all seriousness, we know that with disciplined commitment, He will prepare us for holiness. The bond we form will be trustworthy and loyal, and as He trains us, He will transform us and teach us to play by His play Book, instead of our own.
And when we play by God’s playbook, we become champions of heaven. Committing our first fruits and our last fruits of the day to delighting in Him, will produce sweet returns of our time spent with Him. His favor will be upon us as we live and serve and love, and His blessings and goodness will flow over to those who are watching.
How could two a days help you achieve God’s standard of holiness? What level of commitment are you willing to make?
2 thoughts on “Champions of Heaven”
Two a days sounds great – thanks for the inspiration!
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