INSPIRASUNS

I’m pretty routine about going to my little gym. I’ve been a member there since not long after we moved here. Though it’s changed ownership, much of the clientele remained and our 6:00 a.m. group is pretty consistent. The type of workouts changed with the new ownership over a year ago, they really focus more on weight training. Don’t get me wrong, we get our share of cardio, and if you do it right, weight training will provide just as much cardio.

Over the past month or so the instructors have been pushing us to challenge ourselves to add even just two pounds to our exercises. The repetitions have been reduced and they want us to do some heavy lifting. The instruction is to take our time, make sure we have good form, and then make the attempt at lifting the heavier weight. If we max out, that’s ok, just reduce the weight a bit and try again. It’s not been easy, but I think it’s been worth it. I do feel stronger in many ways, and finally, my muscles are not aching the next day because of past non-use 🙂 .

This morning as I was having my daily chat with Father I thought about the heavy lifting we’ve been doing. The challenging ourselves to be stronger, adding just a little more weight each time. I think that is what Father is asking us to do, the heavy lifting I mean. It’s not easy at times, being a follower of Christ. There are choices we must make, difficult ones at times. He asks us to be like Him. Father asks us to love our neighbors, actually, he asks us to even pray for our enemies, woa, what? Father asks us to show compassion to others, even though they may not be anything like us. He asks us to show His love wherever we go, even though we may be having a bad day and there may be situations causing us to be upset.

Yes, my friends, there is heavy lifting involved in being a child of God. There is daily work to be done. However, just like the work I do daily in my little gym, with each bit of heavy lifting we do, we get a little stronger. We get more comfortable in Father’s love and we can freely share that love.

Years ago I would probably not be as comfortable saying to a friend, “You can’t do this alone, you have to let God into your life to help. You have to ask Him to help you”. As I’ve grown in my relationship with Father, and have seen firsthand what His love can do, I have no hesitation to share that love with others. I want others to have that relationship, to feel that love and strength.

Walking in this life may not be easy at times. Doing the heavy lifting, especially when you are in the middle of it, yes, it’s tough. On the other side though, it feels good knowing that you are growing stronger. I know Father is right there, just like my coach at the gym, providing encouragement along the way. I also know that when the weight is too heavy, Father is there to lift some of that from me so that I can continue to be strengthened without hurting myself.

Friends, remember that God is with us. There will be days when burdens are heavy, but we are stronger than we know. Keep focused, keep your eyes on Christ, and know that the heavy lifting we do now makes us stronger down the road. That strength will help us to help others when they need it most.

Have a great day my friends, and thanks as always for being here each day checking in on this little blog 🙂 .

Psalm 55:22
Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.