In Training

A Reflection on the Second Reading for January 9th, 2022:
The Feast of the Baptism of The Lord

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Titus
2.11-14; 3.4-7

Beloved: The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

For when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
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Several years ago, I decided that my out-of-shape, middle aged self should enter a 5K race. This might not sound like a big deal to some, but I have often joked that I will take the car to walk the dog, so for me, it was huge. I paid my registration fee and a few days later received a t-shirt in the mail that said, “In Training”. My sister, who was an avid runner, was my biggest cheerleader and signed up with me. She offered to train with me, but I always seemed to have a reason not to take her up on that offer. She would share walk-to-run programs with me and checked in regularly to see how I was doing with my preparations. I assured her that I’d be ready when race day came, and instead used the shirt as sleepwear, thinking I would start my training the next day.


Race weekend came and I lined up, along with hundreds of others, surrounded by the excitement of starting a journey together. As I inched closer to the start line, I realized I had squandered my chance to train. Here I was, ready to start this race and was completely ill-prepared. Instead of using the days between receiving that t-shirt and race day to train my body for the distance I had signed up for, I had spent time proudly talking about what I had signed up for, but hadn’t used any of the tools. I felt like a fraud and began to panic, sure that everyone around me knew that I had no right to be there among them.


All around me, people took off running. My sister looked at me and calmly said, “Don’t worry. We’ll walk, and we’ll just talk while we do”. It took me over two hours to walk 5K. Almost everyone that passed me, or who was on the sidewalk watching, clapped, and cheered as we walked. They shouted encouragement. When we got to the finish line almost everyone was already gone to the after-party. My sister took me by the hand and proudly video taped me ringing the bell. Then she placed the race medal around my neck and hugged me.


This race experience reminds me of how I often squander the days the Lord has given me to train in His ways. He came so that I could have life. A life that is full of promise and good, and to be used to build up His kingdom here so that when I cross the finish line, I can hear the bell ring and the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant”. He came so that I may have eternal life, and He has given me everything I need to train for it.


This new year lies before us, each day filled with the promise of new life. I have no guarantee that I will have the next day to train. I have only this one day.


Lord, let me use the gift of today to train in Your ways. Let me see the promise of today, in all its glory, and use it to its fullest to bring someone to Your love. Let me use every tool You provide in the way You intend, and bring Your light to the world.




Sandy Graves

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