With the New Year upon us, FITNESS is always on everyone’s
mind.
Join a gym.
Start my diet….
Again.
Don’t deny it! You
may be putting it off, but you DID think it.
You might like the gym where I work out since it’s a
voyeur’s paradise. It has an upper level
balcony of cardio equipment that encircles the gym. You can, from on high, look down upon and
watch all types of techniques, rhythms, and forms of exercise.
This morning, I watched a trainer, with whom I’ve
“worked”, begin a relationship with a new client. He would demonstrate the exercise with two or
three repetitions and then he would stand back to wait, watch and count as his
client went through the same motion. At
least that was the plan.
As I said, I have utilized this same trainer and he can be....well, intense. Form is key, motion must be
fluid and focus is necessary. But at the
root of all of these, is the student’s desire to be trained. You have to want to change your body. You need to have goals and desires so deep
that you are willing to push through even when it’s hard; to do one more rep,
even when you feel weak; and, to deal with the soreness and pain afterward that
builds muscle and strength.
Today, the “new guy” had very little, if any of that. I am not certain why he signed up for this. Unless, he thought it would be easy; or maybe
got a few free sessions when he joined the gym. But, he was sloppy and rushed. He showed no respect or effort for the motion
or the coach. I couldn’t imagine why he
would waste his money or his time.
The trainer was patient and calm as he coached and
observed. He made his notes, as usual of
the progress on his client’s chart. But
as the hour grew near, the “keep it up’s” and “you can do it’s” seemed to wane.
I wanted to laugh and put on my “proud pants” since I’d
worked out harder than the “newbie”, when God tapped my on the shoulder. He reminded me that sometimes even I just go
through the motions.
How often have I gone to church just because it’s Sunday or
said a quick prayer out the door because I knew it would be a hectic day? Told others I was trusting God to handle my
problem and then worried myself sick until it resolved.
My days are filled with sloppy spiritual workouts more often
than not. And my Coach is patient and
knows my heart. He often sits back and lets me simply be sloppy until I'm willing to give Him my attention and my effort.
He tells us though Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians:
“So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold
fast to the teachings passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by
scripture.
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who
loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,
encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.” (2 Thess 2:15-17)
Just as our bodies need good food, exercise and rest to be
healthy in this New Year, our spirit, soul and mind, needs God’s good food {His
inspired scripture}, exercise {prayer, giving, kindness}, and rest {stillness
of mind, waiting and listening for His voice}.
We need spiritual workouts. I can't just get up and go through my day expecting it to just "happen". My spirit won't be in tip top shape without building some spiritual muscle. But, it will take focus and it will require me to push through when I feel weak. And yes, it may even hurt a bit as I grow. But as I workout and practice, when a tough time comes, I'll be fit and ready for the challenge.
Join a gym, hire a coach, start a diet…….whatever it may
take to meet your physical goals.
But, don’t neglect your spirit. Don’t just go through the motions.
Build some Spiritual Muscle!
Spend time with the Eternal Coach who loves you with the immeasurable and
unconditional love. The God of grace,
mercy and forgiveness who wants to make all things new (Rev 2:1) and give you a
new start to this New Year!
