Poverty of Muscle

I hate going to the gym. There are a lot of reasons, but I think the real reason is pride. If I go run, I can run by myself. I don’t have to keep up with anyone or worry about slowing them down. I can put on my headphones and go into my own little world. At the gym there are all those muscle-bound, gym dwellers that walk around wearing shirts that are about 4 sizes too small, protein drinks in one hand and a 100lb dumbbell in the other…and that’s just the women! I always feel so self-conscious going in with my spaghetti arms and spare-tire waist and strain with a 25lb curl. I suppose you have to start somewhere and I’m sure that those folks realize that, but I can’t help but feel the eyes of judgment.

Why do we bother even exercising anyway? For some of us it is vanity. Some of us enjoy the feeling of being in good health. For others it is a job requirement. Some were told by a doctor that they had to or their family will be collecting on their life insurance. For me, it is a combination of a few. Whatever the reason, the starting point is the realization that we are not where we need or want to be. We have a shortage of physical fitness. We have a need to make a change to our physical lifestyle because our habits have led us to be overweight, diabetic, to have heart problems,  or a host of other health issues. We have identified a need for a change.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 5:3

Isn’t this the same for our spiritual lives as well? As Christians, at some point we recognized that doing things on our own wasn’t working. Maybe we were in an abusive relationship, addicted to drugs, alcohol, or pornography. Maybe we've walked away from God and are too ashamed to come back. Perhaps we just had such a low opinion of ourselves that we didn’t think we were worthy of “the kingdom of heaven.”  Theologian and author, A.W Tozer calls this “poverty of the soul.” What a great turn of phrase! What does it mean to be “poor” or in “poverty”? It means that you have a desperate need. That is us when we realize our need for a Savior.

So, what now? If you go to the gym when you’re in need of physical training, where would you go if you were in need of spiritual fulfillment? Church? That seems like the obvious answer, but it would be wrong…at least to start. There are certain things that are built into our sinful DNA that might make that trip counterproductive. Remember those muscle-bound, gym dwellers? Well, they exist in the church too. They are the “super Christians” that were saved in the womb. They are the ones that always have the smile that never fades and, on the outside, appear as if they’ve never had an illness, a bounced check, or uttered a swear word. They have good intentions…mostly, but they can be pretty intimidating sometimes and we can feel self-conscious in their presence until we come to grips with who we are in the sight of God. (Note: If you're one of those "super Christians" keep reading before you get offended.) The sooner we realize that it’s not their approval we seek, but the forgiveness and grace of the Father, the sooner we can break down the shame of our spiritual poverty.

From “The Pursuit of God” by A. W. Tozer:

                “…the burden of pretense [is]…the common human desire to put the best foot forward and hide from the world our real inward poverty. For sin has played many evil tricks upon us, and one has been the infusing into us a false sense of shame. …The fear of being found out gnaws like rodents within their hearts.”

If church isn’t the right answer, what is? Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore come BOLDLY to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Need = poverty. Don’t go timidly. Don’t go shamefully. Don’t go thinking that God is like Caesar at the coliseum wondering if he is going to give you a thumbs up or thumbs down. Go BOLDLY! When we realize that the world will never see us the way that God does, we will no longer be self-conscious about charging to the throne of grace. We will go to the altar and kneel before Jesus and take His yoke upon us and learn from Him. And we will find rest from the daily grind of trying to cover up our inadequacies so that no one will find out. Then we can go to the gym (or church) and begin the work of physical or spiritual fitness with a “trainer” who is in good shape and can guide us to fitness so that we can be the trainer for others struggling with their poverty. That’s when you realize that those “super Christians” or “gym dwellers” are the same as you. They just recognized their poverty before you did and went boldly to the gym.