use it ... or lose it

I started another blog, but this thought presents itself; maybe it might help you …

I’m ageing. That means I can’t do all I used-to-could-do, at least not as much, not with the same intensity, etc. And too, energy wanes with age, and maybe motivation. And my work schedule has put a serious dent in my off-time.

But… and this is the thing, there’s an age-old (ha) saying, “if you don’t use it, you lose it”. And I’m losing it. Been telling myself for way too long I need to get going again on the exercise thingy. Even made it 1 of my only 2 new year’s resolutions; but fail again.

So, I decided to revert to an exercise that I used to do that doesn’t take a membership or 2 hours or purchasing expensive equipment (save for shoes) – running. Once I put out my shoes when I got home, I ran. Period. I look at myself now and blatantly see the need for it. I feel old. I don’t like that. I want it back. I aim to try.

Now then… apply the same argument to my spiritual life. I suppose there are others out there like me. I fall off from time to time, relax my enthusiasm and engagement, and my spirit atrophies bit by bit. It must: if you don’t use it, you lose it. The spirit needs exercise like the body does.

But someone once said, wisely, “never give up”. (Actually he said, ”Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in…”.) And they’re right. As humans we tend to attend to the urgent, especially in this madmad world of racing at the speed of light with hardly any time for anything except work. And if there are children involved, well then … Most of the time exercise gets shoved to the back burner, as in "I'll get back to that". We don't see it as urgent.

But, as with the physical maintenance and growth, so with the spiritual. The ‘work’ you put into it determines your wellbeing. Either exercise it, or slowly it will fade, like a tide going out. I don’t want my tide going out; I want it coming in, swelling, growing, increasing my wellbeing.

So … I made the decision. I bought a pair of running shoes and within 2 hours hit the street. First time in … years. And there’s this sense of hope that maybe I can recover some of my former self, and maybe even improve on it. And this sense of satisfaction that I finally did something about it. And this sense of excitement, knowing I took step 1 and came away thinking of step 2. I’m even blogging …

Apostle Paul said physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. A wise statement.

So, whether you hit the gym, or the streets, play ball, or play golf, you’re working that physique. In like manner then, read the Bible, pray, praise, journal, listen to a message and to music that speaks of God to you, smile at someone in Jesus’ name, forgive, bless and don’t curse anyone, and always be looking for ways to encourage and to help the hurting. God is pleased with these sacrifices.

Exercise your spirit. A flabby spirit is not a pretty sight.

peace