Exercise

As I walked this morning I was appreciating the concept that I was getting physical exercise (much needed since I sit a lot at work) as well as spiritual exercise in prayer and reflection.  I realized that we hear and see a great deal about physical exercise these days (although often we hear more about things you can buy to help you exercise).  It's great that there is a strong undercurrent in the culture that emphasizes physical fitness and the enjoyment of life even as we age.  But there truly is another kind of exercise that increases the our heart and lung capacity and boosts our strength in the spiritual realm.  The exercise program looks something like:

 

prayer lifting: Taking time to lift others up before the Lord builds selflessness, compassion and leads to spiritual victories for yourself and others.

 

values lay-ups: Laying up treasures in heaven by valuing the spiritual and physical needs of others (these are harder than basketball lay-ups).

 

perseverance running: Keep bringing your focus back to the Lord and His purposes when all the world tries to pry you away...tougher than any marathon!

 

burden casting: Practice throwing your cares to the Lord.  First you have to be willing to let go and then you have to work on your aim (don't worry, if you throw in His direction, He'll catch every one).

 

burden bearing: O.K. so you've cast your burdens to the Lord.  Now you get to help Him out by bearing the burdens of others.  Great for improving your self-image!

 

Anyhow, you get the idea.  Remember, spiritual exercise counts for eternity (now that's what I call a marathon)!

 

1 Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

 

blessings (all together now...lift those cares and throw them to Jesus),

Rob Smith