I’m writing this during Holy Week, the time leading up to Easter Sunday. Sadly, little seems to have changed around us since last year. There is still war in Ukraine, inflation is an issue, on and one it goes. In these troubled times there seems to be scarce hope or assurance that things will get better. Every day we open the newspaper, watch the news or scan the internet we find more bad news. Its makes you want to stay in bed and pull the covers over your head!
How does this fit in with this magazine and the idea of faith and fitness? We live in the context of the world around us and so do those we coach. The stress and reality of the world impacts our training effectiveness and those of our athletes. We can’t compartmentalize our lives into gym and world. All are integrated. Easter reminds us of this.
Jesus’ disciples had the same sort of experiences themselves. They would get discouraged, doubt, and struggle with fear. Many had given up their livelihood to follow Jesus. They were ostracized by society and so struggled.
Jesus offered hope and assurance
We read the hope and assurance Jesus offered to them in John 14:1-6. He said to them: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”
We’ve been looking at the idea of the hope found around Easter recently at my church. One of the things we’ve been considering is the hope that come through our final destination secured by Jesus through the cross and empty tomb. This is a hope that helps through bad days. We who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior don’t need to worry regardless of how bad things get. That’s the assurance he gave his disciples in this passage and extends to those who are his disciples today.
Even more than that, Jesus also said: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” We have hope based on the assurance he has not only prepared a place for us but he’s coming again. When he comes back, everything will be made right.
It is natural to doubt
But doubt creeps in at times, especially when things get tough.
The disciple Thomas doubted; he wasn’t sure. So, he asked Jesus: “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Here is perhaps one of the most profound statements of the whole New Testament. Yet this is the one that gets those of us who say there is only one way to heaven in trouble. Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus himself, great teacher, man of compassion, kind and loving person he was states categorically if you want to get to heaven, it’s only through him.
No other way…not by your good deeds…not by being a good person…not by hoping you go…..no, only through him. But also, be thankful you won’t be measured based on your works, good deeds or faithfulness…most of us would fall way short. Again, hope based on the assurance that anyone who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved.
Jesus has led the way
He has gone to prepare a place for us, that’s what Good Friday and Easter are about. Through Jesus death, burial and yes, resurrection, he made this possible. We can take hope from the assurance he gives us. If you lack hope, you lack assurance. Look at your relationship with Jesus. Do you have one? If not, if you’re not sure, then get one. Talk to someone who knows Jesus, message me but have explained to you how to have a hope based on the assurance of Jesus Christ. When that happens, you won’t worry again.
Do you bury your worries at the gym? Are you stressed when you look outside and see the reality of our topsy-turvy world? Sure, we all are. But you won’t worry because there’s a room in heaven waiting for you, all prepared, pillow fluffed, temperature just perfect, fuzzy robe on the bed, awesome view. Or, in my mind, the equipment is new and pristine, there’s no line up, the layout makes sense. It’s perfect and it’s waiting.
