Out of Shape

My fingers are barely able to type.  My arms feel like jelly.  Posting today may prove as a painful challenge just to work my hands and fingers and mind at the same time...I am completely out of shape!!!!

I tried a new fitness class this morning at the gym.  Now keep in mind, I do not work out every day.  I try to go a couple times a week, but it is not something I am super serious about.  I like taking the fitness classes.  It keeps me motivated and I just find it easier than going and trying to run on an elliptical for 45 minutes.  When I worked in the university settings, I liked taking cardio and step classes with my coworkers.  When we joined this gym at the beginning of the year, I was reluctant to try the classes.  It had been 6 years since my last group fitness class.  I would look silly and not know what to do.  But, reluctantly I went and I did find a couple of classes I liked.  I have tried to attend them as much as possible.

So when my husband encouraged me this morning to go and try a new class, I thought, "Why not?"

Well I barely made it through.  I was gasping and my arms couldn't function.  It was a combination of step and jump roping for cardio, different weights and movements for strength and lots of ab work for the icing on the cake.  (I probably should not use yummy cake analogies when discussing working out.)

I fear I will not be able to move tomorrow or get out of bed.  :)

As I was getting my little one down for nap earlier, I was thinking about feeling out of shape.  We know exercise is good for us.  We know it helps keep us fit and healthy.  We know it aids in the prevention of diseases.  We know it is recommended to do at least 5-6 times a week.  But somehow we find excuses.  Somehow we don't take the time.

How about our spiritual fitness level?  How are we doing on our devotion and prayer fitness routine?

Again, we know it is good for us.  We know it keeps us sane and healthy.  We know it aids in the prevention of meltdowns.  We know it is recommended to do at least once every day.  But somehow we find excuses.  Somehow we don't take the time.

Through Christ's strength we can get through any thing.  (It was only by His strength I made it through this morning. - And trust me I said several prayers in that hour!)  But we have to spend time with Him to seek that strength.  Daily time spent reading His Word is irreplaceable.  It does our mind good.  It does our mood good.  It does our spirit good.  It does our heart good.  We have to make time for God just like we make time for any thing else we do!

Today's Seeking Verse -
"But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul."  Deut 4:29
"Glory ye in his holy name:  let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.  Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually."  1 Chron 16:10-11
"but they that seek the LORD shall not want (lack) any good thing."  Ps 34:10b
"Seek the LORD, and his strength:  seek his face evermore."  Ps 105:4

Walking/running helps keep our bodies in shape, but praying and seeking God is what actually keeps our heart's in shape.  It is hard feeling out of shape physically, but it is even harder feeling out of shape spiritually.  So let's make a plan to strive to spend at least 20 minutes in prayer and reading everyday...and maybe we can even throw in a 10 minute walk to get our whole selves feeling better!



Just on a side note - I know my arms feel completely useless right now after a hard workout...can you imagine what Moses felt like???   If you have never read the story of Moses holding his arms up during a battle in  Exodus 17, I encourage you to do so.  If Moses arms started to lower, the Isrealites started loosing.  My arms feel so out of shape right now, I cannot fathom what Moses felt like after that great feat!  Thankfully Moses had friends to help hold up his arms...I am thankful for my family that I know would stand by me and hold my arms if need be :)