We went to the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco to have some legal paperwork done. The processing of the papers was going to take a while, so we decided to have lunch. This meant walking about half a mile or so to Chinatown. After the meal, we started back for the consulate. Now our route involved walking uphill for about six blocks. We did not think much of it and walked on, with me leading the way.
As we reached the end of the uphill walk, I noticed that Grace had a big grin on her face. Then, she said something like, “Did you notice? You didn’t, huh?” When I gave her a quizzical look, she said, “You walked up that hill with no effort. It worked!” Then, it dawned upon me that she was right. I had walked up that path a couple of years ago. Back then, I had to take two or three breaks to catch my breath. She had to stop and wait for me to recover before we would continue walking. But now, I walked at a brisk pace and did not even feel the need to stop.
What worked? Exercise. For about six months, I had taken the time to exercise at least five to six days a week. This was long overdue. For more than a year my doctor had repeatedly prodded me to do it. I finally had taken seriously the idea that it was part of my spiritual responsibility to stay physically healthy. So I just did it. But only that day did I realize that something good was actually happening. While going through some of my exercise routines, I often wondered whether it was worth it. Sometimes it felt like nothing was coming out of it. Now I know the discipline of exercising, even when I did not feel like it, was beginning to pay off.
As I thought about that incident, I began to recognize how much the same thing may be said of practicing the spiritual disciplines. It can be a challenge to stay committed to getting up earlier than I prefer, and taking the time to sit quietly with the Lord, to read the Word, and to pray. At the end of that time, sometimes it feels like nothing is happening. I may even feel the same way with my regular activities—attending Sunday worship and Wednesday prayer meeting, serving in some church ministry, fasting. Sometimes it feels like routine, and may even feel wearisome. Are all these really making a difference in my spiritual growth?
Then you face a life crisis or are confronted with a difficult situation. And someone may say to you, “Did you notice?” Notice what? That you responded to the situation in a very Christlike manner—something you did without even trying hard, something you did not imagine you would do. But there it is. The effect of faithfulness in the practice of the disciplines has become evident to others. Christ is being formed in you!
—Keith Y. Jainga