I was thinking recently, having turned 70, how much harder it is to do the things we did in earlier years. It could be easy for some to develop the mindset of, "Well, I can't do 'that' anymore so I might as well not even try." Then, before we know it, we are occupying the big easy chair more and more. I like the television commercial slogan, "A body on the move stays on the move." Even though it is more difficult than in the past to accomplish some of the same activities of our youth, our health depends upon our staying as active as we can. Some of this comes from several years of being a fitness coach and watching the rewards of those who learned this principle. Some struggle with arthritis or fibromyalgia or a number of other ailments. However, they would show up faithfully, sometimes at 5:30 a.m. to do their workout, leaving with a sense of accomplishment and a good rush of endorphins and a lot of times with much less pain. Our spiritual life is somewhat the same. A pastor friend of mine inspired my title last Sunday morning. "A spirit on the move stays on the move." In the same way we get tired and discouraged or apathetic in the physical realm we can experience the same in the spiritual. Sometimes I have to literally force myself to workout. When it was my job, I was without excuse. Now I go from enthusiastic to lethargic. Taking that first small step... doing those stretches sometimes does the trick. Keeping that same idea in mind for the spiritual, I was thinking of the steps I take to enjoy a real "Spiritual Workout." The end goal is to connect my spirit with the Spirit of God who looks for those who will worship him in Spirit and in Truth. One thing I do when I feel sluggish is to begin to verbalize to my Heavenly Father all the things for which I am thankful. I may begin with thanking him for my "daily bread" and then move into the basics of a roof over my head, hot, running water, comfortable bed, my wood stove, my car. Next, my wonderful husband, my children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, other family members, friends.... the air I breathe, for HEALING me, for SAVING me, for DELIVERING me! I humble myself in repentance. By this time I have gone beyond the "stretching" stage and into a full blown spiritual workout, singing and playing music or praising, down on my knees with hands lifted high or bowed low, hot tears of joy and gratefulness streaming down my cheeks. I have met the Master! His joy and peace flood in and I want to stay in his Presence and let the world go by! My goal is that of the Apostle Paul. Philippians 3:10 Amplified Bible: "For my determined purpose is that I may know Him that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly..." With physical workouts, you don't stop with one. For the greatest benefits, you continue on a regular basis. The same applies for spiritual workouts. Unlike the physical which can be limited by sickness, injury or disease, the spiritual has no limitations. Only sin can separate us from God and He has given us the way out of sin by the Door, the Way, the Gate into the Holy of Holies by His only begotten Son, our High Priest, Jesus Christ, where we can exercise our spirits and fullfill what we were designed for: (continuing with) Philippians 3:10: "...And that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection which it exerts over believers; and that I may so share His suffering as to be continually transformed in spirit into His likeness even unto His death, in the hope (vs 11) That if possible I may attain to the spiritual and moral resurrection that lifts me out from among the dead even while in the body." Seek Him as the early Disciples did to receive the promise of the Holy Spirit: Acts 2:39 (Amp.) "For the promise of the Holy Spirit is to and for you and your children, and to and for all that are far away even to as many as the Lord our God invites and bids come to Himself." Just as in any workout, you push through to obtain the best and stay in shape for the next. Pressing on with you toward the Goal! Blessings to you all!
