Several years ago I injured my back while lifting a piece of heavy furniture. Over the following months, the pain was so bad that simply standing was extremely uncomfortable. As a result, any strenuous activities were completely eliminated from my daily routine.
After the pain gradually subsided, I was able to resume some of my previous physical activities including jogging. I was surprised to see how quickly my conditioning had deteriorated. My endurance and strength had to be rebuilt almost from scratch. This experience gave me new insight into the adage, “If you don’t use it, you lose it.”
It seems to me that the “use it or lose it” concept also applies to our spiritual conditioning. Our faith tends to weaken if we don’t exercise it with regular Bible study and prayer. When we quit wrestling against evil thoughts and actions, our conscience becomes flabby and useless. St. Paul wrote in Hebrews 12:1 “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangle, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out before us.”
Here are a few indicators that we might be spiritually out of shape:
- Our Bible is in mint condition except for a thin layer of dust.
- We can’t remember the last time our family prayed together at home.
- Our car is always one of the first out of the church parking lot after services.
- We feel strongly that one hour a week in church is enough–an extra hour for bible class is excessive.
- The only time we mention God during the week is when we use His name in vain.
There are so many opportunities to improve our spiritual well being. Start with prayer. Daily personal Bible reading is especially good exercise. Bible classes are available at any church you attend. Daily devotional materials are available online. The list goes on and on.
Physical exercise can help us lead a richer and longer life. Mental gymnastics can keep us more alert and productive as we grow older. In much the same way, improving our spiritual conditioning can help us achieve a richer and more fulfilling stay here on earth. It won’t get us to heaven–we are already saved by the grace of God alone through His Son. But it will make our journey there much more enjoyable.