Spiritual health

On Tuesday of this week, I had two specific appointments – seemingly unrelated! In the afternoon, I paid one of my regular visits to the gym that I use, and spent a little over an hour going through my usual work-out. I try to do this two or three times each week, as I am aware that keeping my physical body in reasonable shape is a lot easier that getting it into shape after ‘letting things go’!

That evening, I met with a small group of folk from the congregation for whom I am currently doing most of my preaching. We met in order to discuss the practical details of starting up a Bible Study and Prayer Group within the congregation, and I was thrilled at the level of wise discussion that took place on that evening. It certainly looks as if we will have a group commence meeting sometime next month.

Seemingly unrelated – and yet, I believe that there is a very important lesson from those two events. Both have to do with health. My visits to the gym not only keep me in reasonable physical shape, but also ensure that my cardiovascular system (the heart and blood vessels, by which blood is pumped and circulated through the body) is kept in good condition; and that my main muscle groups are toned. In other words, my physical exercise keeps me fit and relatively healthy (there is no ultimate antidote against old age!). And, of course, I believe that it is right that I should keep that which is the temple of God the Holy Spirit in as good condition as possible (further implications re. diet and life-style!)

For the disciple of Jesus, there is the even more important matter of spiritual health. That, of course, is the importance of regular reading of the written Word of God, and of regular communion with Father God in prayer. This doesn’t mean one hour per week, on a Sunday; it doesn’t even mean Sunday worship plus a Bible Study and Prayer Group. It means a daily setting aside of time for Him. It is in the quiet place that we will often hear Him speak to us, and reveal His will for our lives.

Paul put it all much more succinctly when, writing to his young ‘son in the faith’ Timothy, he said “Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next.” (I Tim.4:8)