It wasn't advice I wanted to hear. In order to rise above my current level of fitness and reach my goal, I'd have to increase the intensity of my workout. Ugh! Push myself harder, sweat more, endure pain, and be willing to vary my routine. I'm a creature of habit, so I didn't exactly embrace the change that was required. But after just one week, I can say with a smile, that I'm glad I did!
The advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages. More energy, better focus, and just an overall sense of taking better care of the body God has given me, trumps the extra effort, sweat, pain, and change I was dreading. Honestly, I can even say that changing up my cardiovascular activity has been surprisingly pleasant.
It didn't take me long to see the application. It's easy to get comfortable in my spiritual life. But God desires for me to be sanctified - the process of becoming more like Christ in my attitudes, ambitions and actions. Simply put, He wants me to grow. But I know that becoming more Christ-like will involve hard work. It will involve introspection and evaluation, and that can be painful. I'm tempted to stay right where I am - but the voice of my Savior from the pages of scripture, woos me to get up and continue to follow Him.
I can learn a lot from the Psalmist David's approach to this matter, "Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow" (Psalm 51:6-7; KJV). I can learn volumes from this king described by God as, "a man after his own heart," (1 Samuel 13:14).
Am I careful to identify wrong behavior in my life and agree with God that it is, indeed, sin? Or do I try to justify my behavior? If I truly desire to grow in my relationship with God, I must put off those things that displease Him. The idea of purging isn't exactly pleasant, but just like strenuous exercise, the benefits are worth it. The definition of the word purge, is to free from impurities. To be clean. Nothing beats the feeling of being clean after a hard day of manual labor. My heart longs for that same cleansing.
The question becomes, will I listen to and heed my Savior's words? Will I choose to leave my spiritual comfort-zone in favor of following Christ more closely? Not doing more things to win His approval, but truly giving Him access to my heart, that I can be cleansed of my selfish ways and have sweet fellowship with my Heavenly Father. Today, I desire a thorough cleansing so I can reap the eternal benefits of a life lived for Him!
The advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages. More energy, better focus, and just an overall sense of taking better care of the body God has given me, trumps the extra effort, sweat, pain, and change I was dreading. Honestly, I can even say that changing up my cardiovascular activity has been surprisingly pleasant.
It didn't take me long to see the application. It's easy to get comfortable in my spiritual life. But God desires for me to be sanctified - the process of becoming more like Christ in my attitudes, ambitions and actions. Simply put, He wants me to grow. But I know that becoming more Christ-like will involve hard work. It will involve introspection and evaluation, and that can be painful. I'm tempted to stay right where I am - but the voice of my Savior from the pages of scripture, woos me to get up and continue to follow Him.
I can learn a lot from the Psalmist David's approach to this matter, "Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow" (Psalm 51:6-7; KJV). I can learn volumes from this king described by God as, "a man after his own heart," (1 Samuel 13:14).
Am I careful to identify wrong behavior in my life and agree with God that it is, indeed, sin? Or do I try to justify my behavior? If I truly desire to grow in my relationship with God, I must put off those things that displease Him. The idea of purging isn't exactly pleasant, but just like strenuous exercise, the benefits are worth it. The definition of the word purge, is to free from impurities. To be clean. Nothing beats the feeling of being clean after a hard day of manual labor. My heart longs for that same cleansing.
The question becomes, will I listen to and heed my Savior's words? Will I choose to leave my spiritual comfort-zone in favor of following Christ more closely? Not doing more things to win His approval, but truly giving Him access to my heart, that I can be cleansed of my selfish ways and have sweet fellowship with my Heavenly Father. Today, I desire a thorough cleansing so I can reap the eternal benefits of a life lived for Him!
