It’s a funny thing.
Three months ago I purchase these brand new running shoes.
I used to be an athlete—back in my younger years. Running, and lifting, and working out were just a part of life for so many years. They were required from me in order to participate in the sport that I loved and so I did them—and as a result my muscles were stronger and my body more physically able to endure challenges.
But that was years ago. Now… well, now my body is soft(?!?). Now, I’m not sure I could run a whole mile without pausing to die. To put it kindly, my mom bod is thoroughly out of shape.
I decided to start running from time to time on the treadmill at home, until the bottom of the soul to my old worn out shoes gave way.
I took this as a sign and treated myself to my favorite new pair of running shoes. I knew that these new shoes would make all the difference. I would be looking and feeling like a new woman in no time.
But wouldn’t you know, here I am, three months later—and I have never even taken these shoes off the shelf.
In fact they still sit, brand new, in the box, on the top shelf of my closet.
It’s unfortunate really. I have every tool I need. I bought myself the best shoes. The ones that promise comfort and support. The ones with good tread intended to run on different terrain.
I OWN a treadmill. In my house. That I could utilize practically anytime.
I am able—my body can move—my legs work.
But even the best tools, left unused—truly become useless.
This got me thinking about my spiritual life too.
So many times I come to a place where I feel spiritually worn and weak. I often find myself asking God “Where are you and why haven’t you strengthened me for this jouney?”
When the truth really is that I have every tool available for my spiritual health and yet often I leave them sitting on my shelf for days at a time.
I have Bibles, and prayer journal, and devotional books, and Bible study guides. EVERY tool you could even think of is at my fingertips with the internet at hand. BUT.
BUT, often I get busy.
Often I get distracted.
Often I think I’m too tired to even try. And so I don’t.
And there, the most powerful tools in the world go unused.
Just as my physical muscles grow weak from my lack of exercising them.
My spiritual muscles too often grow weak simply because I refuse to exercise them using the tools available to me.
So today, I took down my running shoes—who knows, I may or may not run.
But I also picked up my Bible again and opened it up—and began to exercise the muscles that matter most!
" Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." 1 Timothy 4:7-8
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