Stretching Beyond Our Limit

We are called to work out our own salvation and to train ourselves for godliness, which is designed to stretch us beyond ourselves.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

“Lie flat on your back. Let’s try some hamstring stretches.”

“That doesn’t sound like fun.”

My physical therapist, Amanda, slowly lifted my leg and leaned into my hamstring. “You have to give me control of your leg.”

I’ve been protecting my right leg for close to thirty years, so I’m not surprised that I subconsciously guard it.

She continued stretching me for a couple of minutes, then went back to massaging my Achilles tendon area with some sort of instrument that genuinely looks like brass knuckles. Don’t think I haven’t mentioned that to her. 

A couple of new patients waited in the lobby, but they had a clear view of the main floor where I was wincing and closing my eyes in pain as Amanda worked on me. I’m pretty sure I saw fear in one of the guy’s eyes as he wondered what he was getting himself into. 

Technically, I’m in PT because my plantar fasciitis has flared up again. But since I also ruptured my Achilles tendon on the same leg, it’s all connected. And both are super tight; hence, the pain. 

I’m slowly realizing I should have been in PT way before this (I did PT back in the 1990s after my initial injury but not since). They tell me now that the scar tissue around my Achilles tendon is mostly permanent. They can break up a little of it, but I’ve had this condition since 1997. Progress is going to be slow and minimal.

As Amanda stretched my hamstring and encouraged me to give her control of my leg, I thought about the spiritual disciplines in the Christian life. We’re so used to protecting ourself that we forget that we signed up for a life of surrender.

When we get out of the habit of practicing the spiritual disciplines, we don’t realize we need them until it’s almost too late. Not that it’s ever too late to get back on track, but sin can leave a huge wake that is difficult to navigate and it dims our light.

Donald Whitney put it this way in his book “Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life”: “Can we expect the flames of our worship of God to burn brightly in public on the Lord’s Day when they barely flicker for Him in secret on other days?”

When I say spiritual disciplines, I’m talking about things we do to set the stage for spiritual growth, such as Bible reading / study / meditation / memorization and prayer (private and corporate). Others might include service, silence before God, fasting, and, as this article suggests, even celebration to remember God’s goodness.

As we engage in these practices, the Holy Spirit uses them to grow us. My theological tradition calls such practices “means of grace.”

Philippians 2:12 (ESV) comes to mind: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

And in 1 Timothy 4:7-10, Paul seems to expand on the reason behind putting in spiritual work: “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.”

Living the Christian life apart from spiritual disciplines is like me trying to protect my leg for thirty years, hoping to prevent further injury. Amanda could tell right away that I wasn’t giving her full control, even though I didn’t realize it.

So now, I’m doing the work at home – stretching, rolling and icing every day, knowing those activities will lead to improved physical health. I just need to make sure I’m doing the same with my spiritual health.