home > meeting Charles Atlas
Meeting Charles Atlas
Lacing up my shoes and getting ready for my regular exercise routine at the YMCA, I was intimidated by the guy who took the locker next to mine. Unpacking his bag, I couldn’t help but notice this guy had muscles upon muscles. He looked like someone who had just stepped out of the Muscle Fitness magazine. I‘m sure there wasn’t an ounce of body fat on him. The two of us standing side by side would have made a perfect “before” and “after” ad for some weight-training equipment.
I knew full well that you can’t be in peak physical condition without spending a lot of time at the gym. I couldn’t help asking him, “How many hours a day do you work out?” He replied with a smile… “I work out twice a day for 45 minutes to an hour and a half.” Remembering he said, “twice-a-day,” I did the math and blurted out, “You mean you spend up to three hours a day lifting weights?” I couldn’t keep the surprise out of my voice. “Yep…and I’m on a restricted diet because I want to compete as a body builder.”
Then he did the unthinkable…he asked how many times a week I exercise…I mumbled something about “three times” and that I exercise to relieve my stress. Thankfully, the conversation steered away from the apparent difference in our approach to physical fitness. I didn’t need to really say anything more… my muscular build (or lack thereof) said it all.
I walked to treadmill thinking about this guy’s commitment to pursue physical fitness. His focus was relentless…everything he did was oriented to exercising and shaping his body.
I couldn’t help but think about spiritual fitness. I wondered whether I could spend up to three hours a day praying, reading scripture, serving, sharing, and worshipping…and the other Habits of Effective Discipleship we talk about at Grace. I wasn’t sure.
Then I considered whether I could be on a special “spiritual diet” that would help me trim some spiritual fat? Frankly, I had a hard time getting my mind around my determination to spiritual fitness in comparison to this guy’s commitment to his physical condition.
We’re just about at the end of our ministry year and I wonder how many “spiritual muscles” we’ve grown through worship, study classes, serving and outreach opportunities. Are we in better spiritual condition because we exercised our “Bible Study” habits or made concentrated efforts to develop prayer muscles? How about our giving strength…time and financial resources…have we built it up by growing this habit with the Capital Fund Drive? Have we bumped up a percentage as we strive to give full 10% tithe or beyond?
Motivation and focus is important to grow more spiritually fit. If I’m honest, I don’t always have the level of commitment this young man has. Then I wonder if he has a busy job, five children, a wife, and a home to keep up. It’s hard to keep it all in balance, isn’t it.
I don’t want to lay any guilt on anyone (or myself) about “not doing enough!” Instead, this young man encourages and challenges me to keep growing stronger in my faith. I may never look on the outside like Charles Atlas or another body builder, but I hope on the inside I will look quite differently…with some significant spiritual bulk and muscles. And in the long run, what’s more important?
Exercising In His Love,
Pastor Mark
Spiritual Fitness Exercises
As spring comes, many of us are feeling the urge to “get out” of the house to enjoy the emergence of warm weather, garden flowers, and breathe fresh air! What’s even better is that we don’t have to limit our physical activities to a health club, but can go outside to jog, work in the garden, or recreate at a local park. But before we exercise, take time to “warm up” and “stretch”. If we don’t, we can easily end up with sore muscles!
But what about the need for spiritual “warm up” and “stretching” activities?
Here are some easy Spiritual Fitness Tips you might consider in the next couple of weeks:
Worship Regularly
Come five minutes early to worship and pray specifically for the people who
sit near you
Read the Bible verses listed in the weekly Email Grace at a Glance prior to coming to worship
Pray Daily and Read Scripture
Take the worship bulletin home and pray daily for the people on the
Prayer List
Take a walk through your neighborhood and pray for each family whose house you pass
Read Psalm 136. Notice how the phrase “For his steadfast love endures forever” follows statements of praise. Take time to create your own statements of thanksgiving and continue the psalm’s refrain.
Cultivate Vital Relationships
Invite someone from church to share a cup of coffee or a
walk at Bunker Hills
Try one of the Bible studies at Grace for three weeks
Join the quilters on Wednesdays or the Graceful Seniors on the third Tuesday of the month
Share in outreach or ministry
Plan to attend the next Feed My Starving Children on June 28
Help at the All Church Clean Up on Saturday, May 10
Contribute some of your “stuff” for the Grace Yard Sale to benefit the summer Youth Mission Trip
Give Financial Resources
Tithe 10% on your tax refund
Sacrifice trips to Caribou Coffee for two weeks and give the money to Feed My Starving Children or another charity
When you see commercials on TV that tempt you to buy something you don’t need, think about all the things God has given you