A Devotion by Vicki Bentley

Working Out

How much time do you spend exercising? How much time do you spend making excuses for not exercising, knowing that you need to, but just not being able to find the will (most of us say the time) to do it? Well the weather is beautiful and the days are getting longer. It really is the perfect time, high time to be honest with yourself and get out there and “just do it!” All that sounds so earnest, so right, and yet we, (I,) still put it off; again.

After having a surgery I was unable to exercise for about 6 months except for non-strenuous walking. Well this just about drove me to distraction and made me feel very old. Then slowly I fell into the habit of not being active; knowing I needed to do something, but quickly pushing that thought from my mind. The repercussions for this consistent choice didn’t show up right away. Quietly it accumulated till I ended up back at the Doctor with aches and pains, weight gain and low energy. HMMMM! I was honest with him, confessing my lack of exercising but reminding him I did have a valid excuse. He patiently explained that our bodies are made to find and keep a balance. Exercise is a big part of that. Leaving his office, I was struck by my attitude that was building a quick defense; rationalizing my laziness and actually blaming the Doctor for not understanding.

Paul talking to the believers in his letter to the Hebrews in chapter 6 verses 10-15 says it like this. “God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” Abraham is our example of diligence in hearing God’s promise; diligence in walking in the hope; "waiting for the hope and in being in relationship continually with God throughout.”

Exercising can be a great thrill to begin even though it may be difficult to learn the machines or routines. It is a need that is answered by making a conscious decision and then following that up with active discipline. Within a short amount of time we begin to see a change for the better; more endurance, weight loss or at least loss of inches, etc. There are a few things necessary to continue to grow in health and maintain strength. It is necessary to eat right, work out with consistency and growing resistance in exercise and hydrate. We never really arrive at a place of optimum health where we can slack off. That’s why they call it discipline. We have to be active if we want to have a quality of life. No matter how young or old; this is a fact.

God gives us pictures in the natural to teach His deep spiritual truths. Even as Paul encourages the believers, “Hey, you have done well and we want you to continue - don’t grow lazy.” Everything in this world can be very distracting. Good times and bad times turn our attention and we forget to remember the things we already know. That is why it’s important to have examples to follow; those who have gone before and have finished the race well. Abraham is called the ‘friend of God.” Proverbs tells us that a friend is faithful; going on to say that there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Jesus is our friend and more. He is our Brother, our great High Priest; He is our Savior!

It is my fervent prayer that we would be faithful, steadfast, immovable, diligent, always abounding in the will and work of the Lord; following the examples in His Word we can finish this race well. After all isn’t the very definition of a disciple?

So today is the day - begin now or with me, begin again. Every part of our lives are His. With Caleb (our example from the Old Testament), let’s take the mountaintops for the Lord when we’re old. It’s time to get into shape.