Exercise for Life

Today my students did a lab activity called, "Exercise Your Heart"  They were to investigate the effect of exercise on their heart rates.  I watched them huffing and puffing from the exercise, but no one quit.  I heard students telling each other, "keep going!  Don't stop!".  I saw their smiling faces and heard their laughter between gasps of breath.  They worked in groups with people they don't necessarily like, but no one complained....hmmm.  As I explained how the blood of life is pushed through the veins by the heart, all eyes were attentive.  More exercise, more blood pumping, more efficient bodies for life.  Life....blood. 

I don't know about you, but when I really exercise, I can feel the blood moving through me.  As my pulse pounds, I can almost feel the oxygen being delivered to my needy depleted muscles.  It's not always fun, but it is imperative to building and maintaining a healthy body.  Spiritual exercise readies our souls to fight the battles of the flesh.  It is vital that our spirit to be "in shape" for our Kingdom work on earth to be effective.               1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says this:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the game goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.  No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

So how do we go about this "spiritual exercise"?  Exercise is different for each person, but here are some things I think we could all benefit from. 
1.  Pray.  Opening the lines of communication also opens your heart to His will. 
2.  Reflect.  Fine areas within yourself that cause you to stumble, and work on removing them.
3.  Read.  Read God's Word.  As you read, you will find it speaking to your heart. 
4.  Partner up.  Just as with physical exercise, having a partner increases your accountability.  You don't have to actually do the exercises together, but hold each other in check.
5.  Fellowship.  Be encouraged by those around you (just like my exercising students)
6.  Set gradual goals.  Don't jump into the deep end if you don't know how to swim.  Too much too soon will lead to frustration, fatigue, and failure.
7.  Set aside time.  It's easy to be too busy for exercise. 
8.  Commit.  Make a conscious decision to exercise.  Tell others about your commitment.  It's harder to quit when you say it out loud!

It may seem like a lot, but when you exercise your soul, you can feel the life blood of Jesus moving through you as well.  You can face you battles and chores with a smile, because you understand the greater purpose of your life in God's Kingdom.  So, here it is...my commitment to exercise, (physical and spiritual).  Let's get in shape together!  Let me know if your up for the challenge.