TITLE: Workin' Out By CeCe Lane 05/17/05 |
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Some one I know told me I should post about working out at the Y. So I thought, "What the hey! Why not?" So here I am.
I have been working out at the YMCA since March 14, 2005. I have been fairly consistent, I think only missing 3 days? Maybe 4? Anyway consistent. I work out 7 days a week. I've upped my time on the cardio machine. (elliptical) from 30 minutes to 45 minutes. Now I didn't up it 15 minutes all at once, what? You think I'm crazy? No, I upped it at 5 minute intervals, waiting about a week before upping it anymore.
Now you may be singing my praises, telling me how good I am, an inspiration maybe. But before you get too carried away, please stop.
I know my heart is getting healthy, and the unseen health benefits are going to be great. But...............
Ya see it's not just the inside I'm worried about. I'd love to see my outside be changed too. Ya know I've worked out for almost 6 weeks and have I lost an ounce? Nope. Do I look any different? Nope. Do my clothes fit me any differently? Nope.
So why do I continue to go? Maybe I'm just a glutton for punishment and let me tell you 45 minutes on the elliptical is brutal punishment. Maybe I'm just stubborn. Nah can't be that can it? Maybe because I'm filled with hope, hope that eventually I will lose weight, I will look better on the outside. My clothes will start to not fit me (as in being too big).
This reminds of the spiritual life as well. When we accept Christ, we don't look any different physically. Our insides are gaining all the benefits of our new life. Our heart is healing, getting stronger. Our minds are being renewed. But really the outside doesn't look much different.
But the more we "work out our salvation", the more our outside will be changed. Not that Jesus makes us lose weight, or get a face lift, or anything like that. But have you ever spent time with someone you can just see Jesus shining out of every pore? They look differently! Have you ever spent time with someone who is very self-centered? Have you spent time with a self-centered beauty queen/king? After 5 minutes, do you think they are as beautiful? Chances are you're shaking your head. Why? Because it just isn't attractive to have self shining out of our pores.
The more time we spend working out with Jesus, the more we will look like HIM, the more of HIS character we will take on. Our life and service will take on a whole new look. Why? Because of Jesus! He is changing our insides and those benefits, the benefits we gain internally, will be seen on the outside. Only, however, if we persevere! We can't give up. We can't wear out.
It will be and is very hard work. But we have to take steps of faith, run with endurance, work out our salvation.
Ephesians 6 describes for us the armour of God. Can you imagine a soldier who is not physically fit? An out-of-shape soldier? Can one of those weild a sword? Yeah, but only with difficulty and only for a short time. What happens when he wears out in battle? He leaves himself open to attack, and the attack will come.
So let's shape up spiritually and physically. Let's work out with Jesus and be just as fit spiritually as we are physically.
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