It is a proven fact that physical exercise keeps the body fit.  I believe that and I’m sure you do also.  But the question is:  Do we live like we believe it?  I know I don’t.  If I needed to exercise to stay thin, then that would certainly be a good incentive and I’d like to believe I would exercise for that reason.  (Even though that reason does seem a little shallow).  But, lucky for me, I don’t have to exercise and I can still wear a size 2.  So I don’t have a whole lot of incentive to put forth the effort to burn more calories.  I still feel good. No achy joints.  Don’t really get sick.  Don’t have high blood pressure.  And can still thread a needle without wearing glasses.  Not too bad for over 45.  Still I feel as though things could be better.  And I’ll have to admit that the appeal of being physically fit almost pushes me to do it.  Almost.  I know I should.  But something holds me back.  What is it?  Possibly a lack of real interest and no real desire to exercise?  Maybe I don’t want to commit to the time it would take?  Afterall, there is always something more fun and interesting to do then exercise!  I guess it  boils down to just not being that into exercise.   

The same can be applied to our spiritual lives.  We believe that Bible study and prayer are good for our spiritual health.  But, do we live like we believe that?  Alot of people can get by with looking good.  They attend church regularly, (they go to see their friends, not listen to the sermon, but they do go).  They don’t steal gum from the corner 7-11, don’t lie very often, havn’t killed anybody recently.  Yes, they look good.  They are considered morally acceptable people.  But, I can tell you from personal experience that unless you have God in that space in your heart created just for Him,  you will always be searching for that elusive something.  What is holding you back from committing everything to Him? 

…..God does not see as humans see.  Humans look at outward appearances, but the Lord looks into the heart.  1 Samuel 16:7 Gods Word Translation

I rushed my three kids out the door on the first day of school. Not only did I need to get my kids to school on time, but I needed make an extra stop to pick up two more girls. After turning into the housing complex where the girls lived I needed to stop at three bus stops before arriving to their house. When I stopped at the third bus stop the kids erupted into a mass of moving arms and legs, running out in front of my van and making rude hand gestures. I fumed unable to do anything about it, but ignore it.
A few morning later I decided I absolutely could not put up with such horribly rude children. How dare they treat me with such disrespect every school morning. I dreaded picking up the kids and didn’t want to spend the rest of the year facing those kids every morning.
I considered several options and since I preferred to live my life on the outside of a jail cell I decided to go with my safest albeit least appealing idea.  I would heap coals of burning fire upon their heads.  The next day when I stopped at their bus stop and they ran out in front of me, I did the next to impossible.  I managed to lift my nearly paralyzed hand off the steering wheel and wave.  I also managed to move the muscles of my face, which suddenly felt like stone, into a very fake smile.  It was worth it! Those kids didn’t know what to do, smile and wave or make obscene hand gestures. Now I wasn’t just smiling,  I was laughing and it was real! This was fun. The next day was a repeat of the same thing.  And then day three arrived!  I pulled up to the bus stop and those horrible rude children stood quietly next to the road. I smiled and waved and they smiled and waved back at me.  Instead of dreading every morning I eagerly looked forward to seeing them.

At the end of the school year I mentioned to my carpool kiddies how nice “those kids” were and how they had changed since the beginning of the school year.  Their faces looked confused and said, “They still run out in front of all the other cars and annoy people”.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  Romans 12:21

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.  Romans 12:20