Exercise

Heb. 4: 11-13  Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.  For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Exercise seems to be what my days are made up of lately.  I "graduated" from physical therapy, which basically means that I now get to pay for the workout instead of the insurance company paying!  So three to four days a week I spend an hour and a half to two hours working out aggressively in the pool.   To do that takes about two more hours getting there and back, hobbling painfully to and from the parking garage, changing, etc..  The other days, except Sunday, I do "land" exercises here at home.  Most days it seems as though my schedule revolves around the exercise.  I must admit that I have seen profit from the torture.  I have progressed from the scooter, to a walker, to a quad cane and now to my old walking cane (most of the time.)  Though not something my family encourages, if I'm careful I can even manage a few steps without any support.  There are fewer chairs that I have to have a son or daughter help pull me out of and I definitely feel stronger and more secure on my feet.   I have discovered that for the profit, I must expend a great deal of time and  discipline, as well as suffer a fair amount of pain.  The discipline is especially hard as I have to fight finding reasons not to do it.

I have been contemplating lately how much energy I expend keeping up with the exercise and how little time and effort I often spend on exercise in my spiritual life.  I hate to admit how often I will read  a chapter in the Bible and come to the end without having any idea of what I just read or how often I forget those I have promised to pray for in my daily prayers.  Paul several times speaks of the "abounding love" of the saints.  We are also told to "be holy, for I am holy" (I Peter 1:16) and to "...do justly, and to love mercy..." (Micah 6:8).  Matthew tells us to be perfect in chapter 5:48.  And we're not told it will be easy.  Paul tells us in I Timothy to "exercise ourselves unto godliness" and Hebrews says we are to "strive" to enter into His rest.  Those are high orders, but ones given to those professing Christ.  I am dismayed by how little time I spend exercising faith, love, mercy and holiness to speak of only a few spiritual traits.

Time is going by rapidly in our Christian lives.  I know it is time for me to get off my spiritual crutches and exercise those qualities that Christ would have me to obtain.  Oftentimes I act as though love, mercy, holiness and godliness along with so many other Christ-like traits are going to fall out of the sky and be mine for the grabbing.  It's time, not to stop the physical exercise, but to work hard on the spiritual, which profits much more.  Pastor John Piper in The Godward Life had this prayer: "Lord, let me do for you what is utterly disproportionate to who I am."  I have thought often of his prayer and made my prayer, "Lord, whether you allow this cancer to overcome my body, or my body to overcome the cancer, allow me to do far above what I am able for your glory and Your kingdom.  Fill me with the fruits of Your Spirit and allow me to be a reflection of Christ to others."

James Smith - The Prescription.

Spiritual health is an invaluable blessing — and should be more carefully attended to. Unless the graces of the Spirit are in vigorous exercise, and the duties of piety are our delight — we are not in health; there is some sickness, and we need the physician's care. To preserve health where it is, or restore it where it is not — attend to the following prescription. It is valuable; it is important — because, "it is for your health."

1. First, you must have daily exercise. I recommend . . .

that you walk daily in the paradise of God's Word;

that you work in the vineyard of God's church;

that you bathe in the fountain of redeeming blood;

that you keep up fellowship with lively Christians;

and that you exercise all the graces of the Spirit.

Attend particularly to these points, for, "it is for your health."

2. Second, pay attention to your diet. Let your food be the best — the bread of life and the living waters of salvation are recommended. They satisfy and sanctify. They make healthy — and keep healthy! Be sure you take sufficient nutrition; a little will preserve life — but much is necessary to health! Take your food regularly, for regularity is important. You cannot, "prosper and be in health" unless you live upon Christ, and live upon Him every day!

3. Third, as to your medicine — it is made up of the bitter herbs of disappointment, losses, crosses, temptations, bereavements, troubles and trials of various sorts. It is very unpleasant — but very profitable. Unless taken, and taken pretty regularly — you will be laid up with idleness, carelessness, anxiety, pride, or selfishness! But this medicine is intended to prevent or remove these evils. Your Heavenly Father will prepare it — and Divine Providence will present it! You are to beg God's blessing upon it — take it and expect benefit from it. Do not despise your medicine, for, "it is for your health."

4. Fourth, we prescribe tranquility. You cannot be healthy, unless you preserve tranquility of mind. In order to calm your heart . . .

live in peace with God, as a loving child with a kind and tender Father;

cast all your cares upon Him,

daily confess your sins before Him,

get a renewed manifestation of His pardoning love,

trust the promises and providence of God for the future,

live day by day,

be content with your lot — it is appointed for you by infinite wisdom and love! It is the very best that can be, and this you will see and confess by-and-bye.