All my life I have been rather clumsy. I am uncoordinated and have practically no athletic ability. I used to dream of being able to train my body to be athletic, but I finally had to come to terms with the fact that it will always stay a dream. It just is not me.
I am comfortable resigning myself to physical clumsiness. Spiritual clumsiness, however, is a very different matter. I stumble spiritually. Sometimes it is just a little stumble, as if over a pebble or a crack in the sidewalk or maybe even my own two feet. It might not even be enough to make me fall down completely. I simply have to regain my balance and keep walking. Other times my stumbles are greater, resembling a great roll down a hill which results in me in a face-down heap at the bottom. Unlike my physical clumsiness, however, I do not have to resign myself to this spiritual clumsiness. On the contrary, doing so would be downright sinful! Look with me at what Peter has to say about being spiritually fit.
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. 2 Peter 1:5-11
This passage simply overwhelms me! Reading it brings tears to my eyes, and each time I read it I feel the physical need to take a deep breath just to soak in its goodness.
I am not made to be spiritually clumsy! Instead, I am given every single tool I need to face this spiritual walk with boldness. I can walk without stubbing my toe and bruising my shin. I can step solidly without tripping over my own two feet. I can run with assurance that I will not end up flat on my face. I might never be an athlete physically, but spiritually I have been redeemed to stand with the winners!
There is something I must remember, however. This spiritual fitness does not come naturally. It only comes with discipline to practice, practice, practice. No Olympian ever won a gold by simply showing up at the games hoping to be able to compete with the best. Years upon years of work, tears, challenges, and practice precede any victory. The only way the qualities of fitness Peter lists will increase in me is through practice and discipline. Without the practice and discipline, I am "blind or short-sighted, having forgotten (my) purification from (my) former sins." In other words, I am destined to stumble.
Stumbling, both physically and spiritually, has been the story of my life for far too long. I am ready to practice. I am ready to discipline myself. I am ready to be spiritually fit. I am ready to never stumble!
Not Quite Ordinary 