One of the most common words heard in a gymnastic facility is shape. It refers to the body posture a gymnast must have while executing skills. Coaches train this shape diligently. Most gymnasts can master the shape in a stationary hold. The trick, is being able to maintain the shape while moving.
Spiritually we are also called to hold our godly shape in prayer and in public. When we are in our prayer closets, it’s easy to live the godly life. However, maintaining an attitude that is like that of Christ Jesus when we are moving about in our daily lives is often challenging. It isn’t usually big things that causes us to lose shape. It’s the little things.
We leave our pray time to discover that the dog has strewn garbage all over the house. Without thinking we lose shape. We shut ourselves up with God and then enter our day by stubbing our toe on the corner of the bed. All our prayer shape and Christlike attitude disintegrate as we yell at the bed and hobble on our throbbing toe. Poet John Keble says it well, “Help us this and every day to live more nearly as we pray” (Hues of the Rich Unfolding Morn).
We should follow the example of our Lord and keep our private prayer time and our public life the same.
Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.
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Check Out Denise’s Books!
Godnesia: Keeping God in Mind Each Day http://amzn.to/2GSquOD
Ordinary Days With an Extraordinary Savior – http://amzn.to/2mFGASBLife Is a Metaphor: Recognizing God in the Everyday – http://amzn.to/2De1rU2