Getting Out of the Gym
One winter my employer gave me a free health club membership, and I gladly took full advantage of it. I went regularly and hit the weight machines, walked the treadmills, rode the stationary bikes, even entered a racquetball tournament with a coworker. It was great on cold, damp winter days, but as soon as the first warm day came along, I ached to be out in the sunshine working in the yard or riding a real bike and going somewhere. So I quit the club and was immediately more content and probably more healthy because my exercise and work had purpose.
The spiritual life is much the same. It’s fine to spend time in study and prayer, working our spiritual muscles and building our faith, but if that is all we do, then what is the point? If we’re not building up anyone but ourselves, are we building the Kingdom of God at all?
Much like a stationary bike can help build endurance for a cross-country trek, time spent in prayer and study can give us the emotional strength we need to step outside of ourselves and help deliver faith, hope and love to those in need. The key is to “step outside” of the gym.
As usual, I am preaching to myself as I write this and get ready to hit the send button. I have a friend who needs a helping hand, and while I do pray for him regularly, prayer is not enough. What he needs requires me to leave the warmth and safety of the gym, both figuratively and literally, and go see him. His need is genuine, and he deserves a genuine response. And since I profess to be a follower of Christ, the response should be Christ-like. Isn’t that what I’ve been training for?