This week begins the "new" rhythm of moving toward a healthier me. I'll "shred" on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and walk 2 miles on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 4 miles on Saturdays. On Sundays, I'll rest. I've learned a few things about physical exercise that carry over into the spiritual disciplines.
The one that stands out most comes from Jillian Michael's repeated reminder that one of her two workout buddies is "not getting as deep into the exercise" as the other buddy, and that there is "no shame in that." What she is saying is that you need to start somewhere. So you can't do it perfectly or completely to start. You shouldn't let that stop you from starting.
I'm reminded of an early experience after I moved back to Southern California. One of the men in the church where I was privileged to pastor heard that I ride my bike, so he invited me on a ride. I assured him I hadn't ridden in quite some time so we needed to start slow. 32 miles later I pulled into our driveway and nearly collapsed. My friend didn't recognize that what I meant by starting slow needed to be measured by my abilities, not his. It was definitely a shorter ride for him. For me it was almost fatal. (Not really, but it felt like it.)
In the same way, as we begin, or renew, the practice of spiritual disciplines that move us toward a healthier relationship with Christ, we usually don't do well with a weekend of fasting or 24 hours of prayer or reading through the Bible for 72 straight hours. We need to begin where we are and then move on to where we aren't. Just as in human relationships it takes time to develop deep friendships, so with God our relationship grows as we spend time with Him, learning who He is and what He has done and how we can best respond to that.
Easter is the quintessential time of "new beginnings." Maybe now is the time to stop procrastinating about developing a healthier relationship with Christ. You may not be able to "get as deep into the exercise" but there is no shame in that. Better to begin doing something that will enhance the relationship than to do nothing.
2 comments:
Thanks for the encouragement Paul. I started Jazzercise, and Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace Univ. and have found myself leaving God's word out of this new transformation of the worldly Amy. I gave myself permission to "take a break" after an in depth Beth Moore study, and I am feeling the break. Thanks for the reminder that God wants me to come to him, no matter what shape I am in.
Over the years I'm discovering the importance of balance, not only daily and weekly, but seasonally.
Post a Comment