Did You Workout Today?
Did you work out today? I did. In fact, I have been working out in some way, shape, or form for thirty years. Anything less than four days a week is a bad week around here. And I don’t have too much to show for it except an average physique and joints that don’t share my love for running.
I work out because I am genetically curvy and have the slowest metabolism known to man, and the alternative is not a pretty picture. It also makes me feel generally happy and healthy. Of course, I want to look good in my swimsuit for the summer and jeans and boots in the fall and have "minimal muffin top moments." But the older I get, the more energy I need, and the less I take it for granted. I want to be at my best for my family and be ready for what life brings.
So I work out.
I read in the Bible that I'm to be ready "In season and out of season." Somehow I don't think God was referring to summer swimsuits or fall boots.
Then what?
What about my spiritual fitness?
Am I at my best?
Am I ready for what life brings my way?
Why do I focus so much on the body and neglect the soul?
How much attention do I give to keeping my soul in good shape?
Do I obsess over it and carve out time RELIGIOUSLY to strengthen and reshape my "inner man"?
What would it look like if I devoted an hour and a half, five days a week, to tend to my soul and take care of my spirit?
Do I ever look in a spiritual mirror and see what needs tweaking?
Society has it backward, always thinking in the short-term rather than the eternal. Our bodies are decaying, but the soul… the soul, can and should be renewed daily. (2 Corinthians 4:16).
Somehow, we think we can get away with neglecting the soul, and it won't matter because no one sees it. It's like we are cheating the system.
But are we?
Can we?
You could probably tell if I stopped eating and drinking and eventually if I stopped working out. I would be weak, out of shape, unhealthy, and even die. Those around me would be very concerned and even stage an intervention (hopefully before I die). But does anyone notice if I don’t take care of myself spiritually? Perhaps not at first glance, like how I could hide my dirty house from you or my cluttered car, putting on a good show as long as no one gets close enough to see inside.
But eventually, it will show in my attitude. My selfish nature and short-tempered tendencies will show themselves strong. It will affect my ability to hear God and handle life’s complexities and have sound, rational judgment.
I will become spiritually out of shape, weak, unhealthy and lethargic. I will feel lost in the wilderness, and it will be everyone else’s fault. I will be resentful and blame shift, act fleshly and carnal and revert to my old bad habits. In my inability to connect with God, I may miss the mark and lose out on blessings, calling, and opportunities.
I definitely will not be ready for what life brings my way.
Yes, of course, my physical health is important, and I want to be around for a long time. And yes, my body is God's temple to dwell in. But it is also just a shell in which the real me lives. I am not my body, and this vessel is my temporary home; my soul will live forever and needs my urgent attention.