The few weeks have been quite chaotic, but exciting, as we have moved to a new community and a new church family. It has been difficult to find the same rhythm that 8 years in one location allows you to experience. Today, after a month or so of neglect, I returned to the YMCA. On the surface, everything looked the same -- the check-in station, the locker room, the pool -- even the equipment appeared to be the same...
...appeared to be the same until I started to use them. In the fall, I met weekly with one of the trainers at the Y to get myself on a regimented wellness program. She taught me many exercises, both on and off the machines. One of the things we did was carefully note the exact position for every seat, bar, and lift on the weight equipment. We also indicated the exact weight and number of repetitions that I would do on any given workout. I knew exactly how difficult each piece of equipment was and how tired that I would be when I had finished my workout. This is how I know that someone must have changed the numbers on the weights at the YMCA during my absence -- putting the lower numbers on the heavier weights.
I began my workout as I always did. I noticed that the leg press machine fought me much more than was typical. My arms screamed as I pushed handles above my head. I double-checked the weight; it was exactly where it was supposed to be. It made no sense. As my workout progressed, I discovered the obvious conspiracy to change the numbers on the weights so that I would have a more strenuous workout...
...except that isn't what happened. After weeks of missing my regular workout schedule, my body is no longer accustomed to the workout I used to do several times a week. My muscles have gotten lazy. They have to be re-trained. They lack the discipline they once had.
This made me think about our spiritual lives. Participating in worship, serving in mission and ministry, giving generously, practicing spiritual disciplines (like Scripture reading, prayer, devotion, and fasting) are not "heavy lifting" -- if we are used to it. Once out of the habit, our spirits get lazy. We have to be re-trained; we need to rediscover the joy of discipline.
The Good News is that we can have a new beginning at any time. Grace abounds, and in our weakness, God is strong. So, the weights were heavy today, but later this month they will grow lighter. Before long, those sneaky folks at the Y will change the numbers on the weights back to where they are supposed to be. As I stay disciplined, my body will respond accordingly, and God will bless my faithfulness through good health.
In our walk with Christ, we can only start where we are. Each day, through discipline, the weight gets a little lighter, until we simply experience the joy of the ongoing rhythm of a life in faith.
Grace and Peace,
