Day 6: Prepared to be Used by the Master

Our bodies are instruments that we need to steward to be used by the Master, prepared for any good work.

As legend has it, in 1666 three bricklayers were rebuilding an old Cathedral when someone asked, “What are you doing?". The first brick layer replied, "I’m just laying bricks.” The second bricklayer answered, "I'm building an entire wall." And when the third bricklayer proudly exclaimed, "I'm building a cathedral with these bricks; a cathedral that will serve to glorify the Almighty and be a place for generations to worship God”.

Same question, identical jobs, but three vastly different perspectives. 

I like to imagine that third bricklayer’s perspective about his job impacted every part of his life. He probably got plenty of sleep, ate well so he could perform his best, kept his tools sharp, and laid each brick with incredible precision and care. 

Perspective drove his actions, and it should be no different for Christians.  

We must fully grasp our purpose:

When asked “What are you doing?”, we can confidently answer with 2 Corinthians 5:20 in mind. We are “ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us.” There’s no punching the clock. We are called to live with intention and zeal because we are a part of a greater story.  

And we allow purpose to change how we live:

Check out 2 Timothy 2:20-21:

Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

2 Timothy 2:20-21

With our purpose in mind we live differently. We ask God to help cleanse us from dishonorable things so we are ready to go to work. We set our minds on things above (Colossians 3:23), keep in step with the Spirit not the flesh (Galatians 5:22-23), and practice offering our bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1).

The truth is, our workouts can help us keep this perspective in life. Just imagine exercising for the sake of being ready to be used by God! That alignment with God’s perspective would empower us to work out with greater determination, focus, and enjoyment. Ultimately, our purpose drives our behavior, just like that third bricklayer. 

So let’s get to work, laying bricks with purpose and the knowledge that God is planning to do something incredible with our lives to build His kingdom here on earth. We’ll turn something ordinary like a workout into an opportunity for physical and spiritual growth and prepare ourselves to do His work outside of the gym.

Application

Get some reps! Embrace the knowledge you are training for something greater with the help of excerpts from the work of Gary Thomas’ book Every Body Matters: Strengthening Your Body to Strengthen Your Soul.

Post-Workout Reflection

  1. Which bricklayer am I like in my life and relationship with God?

  2. What impurity do I need to rid myself of to be ready for the master, prepared for any good work?