| I'd like to invent a spiritual
workout system with machines similar to those in health spas
that can zero in on specific muscles you want to develop.
My spiritual spa would be a place with individual stations
where muscles of the faith would be purposely developed, a
place where we could be intentional about cultivating spiritual
stamina.
My first station would help bridle the tongue when it is
tempted to say harsh words, and toughen it up when it needs
to speak out boldly for the Lord. It would build control of
our gossip muscle, and teach us to clean up our language.
I'd have a station that addresses the faith muscles of the
eyes. Above this machine would be pictures of biblical heroes
whose lives were ruined when they lost control of their eye
muscles-Samson and David, who were deceived when they allowed
their eyes to gaze too long upon the opposite sex.
I would also have a machine that works on the spiritual muscles
of the neck. It would increase flexibility in those who have
become "stiff-necked"-especially those who are too
proud to admit mistakes, too stubborn to ask for forgiveness
or too arrogant to admit they need to depend upon God.
I'd have an exercise that would require a person to be on
his knees, with neck bent downward in prayer. Prayer loosens
muscles that are tied in knots by worry, pressure or long
hours of hard work.
Sweating yet? Any increase in your heart-for-God rate? Out
of breath? Sore? Like any good workout, it wouldn't be good
to overdo it the first time out...or can it be overdone?
What areas of spirituality in your own life need strengthening?
What pressures keep you from devoting more time each day to
spiritual disciplines or "workouts"?
|
