Pastor's Weekly Musing
Hey everyone!
When I was in my 20’s, I used to way overdo my efforts in the gym, particularly with heavy weights. More weight means more strength, right? I thought so, at least. So I would load up the squat rack, or bench press, or whatever, and I’d let it rip — day after day, even with not-so-great form or technique. I was literally doing long-term harm to my body, but OH BOY did I look strong.
Fast forward 20 years, and I have several bulging and torn discs in my lower back to prove it. And after several trips to several doctors, and one horrifying experience in one of those MRI tubes (that are way too tight, by the way), I discovered that I’m simply going to have to manage the injuries the rest of my life.
But there is hope, I’m told. Stretching, proper movement and technique, and a good diet are all ways to avoid re-injuring the same area. But I’ve learned the number one way for me to not suffer further setbacks: it’s to keep moving. Don't stagnate. Not that I can never take a break or rest, but when I stagnate physically for too long, everything tightens up, and then pain begins to creep in. And it makes it all the more difficult to get going again, even though I know that’s exactly what I need. Then, after a long season of not moving much, I can convince myself that this is my life now, that I’m just a sore-back-guy, that there’s no hope.
Here’s the connection: when I stagnate spiritually for too long, I tighten up.
When I stop reading my Bible, forgo prayer, skip church, or forget God, my heart tightens up. My spirit feels like it’s harder and harder to get back. And after awhile, I can convince myself that this is how I am now, that I can’t get back to the things of God, or it’ll be too hard, or I don’t have what it takes.
But if I can encourage you today: just like our physical bodies, once I get moving again, I feel the positive effects of my efforts almost immediately. It may be hard to get my butt to the gym, but once I get moving a bit and get some blood flowing, I always walk out glad that I came.
It’s the same spiritually. I’ve never ended a time of Bible reading and thought, “Well, that was a waste of time.” I’ve never walked out of church — especially after it was particularly difficult to get there that day — and thought “I should’ve stayed in bed.” And I’ve definitely never prayed and then felt worse afterward.
Why? I’m getting my spiritual juices flowing again. I’m reconnecting to the source of all life — Christ Himself. And in Him there is fullness of joy.
Galatians 6:9 tells us “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Don’t stagnate. And if you’re currently in full-blown stagnation, don’t judge yourself too harshly: getting moving can be hard! But do it anyway. Get back in the Word, every day. Pray. Get to church. Re-engage in the things of God. Invariably, when we do, we always find Him to be faithful, and forgiving, and welcoming. He is a good God.
Amen?
When I was in my 20’s, I used to way overdo my efforts in the gym, particularly with heavy weights. More weight means more strength, right? I thought so, at least. So I would load up the squat rack, or bench press, or whatever, and I’d let it rip — day after day, even with not-so-great form or technique. I was literally doing long-term harm to my body, but OH BOY did I look strong.
Fast forward 20 years, and I have several bulging and torn discs in my lower back to prove it. And after several trips to several doctors, and one horrifying experience in one of those MRI tubes (that are way too tight, by the way), I discovered that I’m simply going to have to manage the injuries the rest of my life.
But there is hope, I’m told. Stretching, proper movement and technique, and a good diet are all ways to avoid re-injuring the same area. But I’ve learned the number one way for me to not suffer further setbacks: it’s to keep moving. Don't stagnate. Not that I can never take a break or rest, but when I stagnate physically for too long, everything tightens up, and then pain begins to creep in. And it makes it all the more difficult to get going again, even though I know that’s exactly what I need. Then, after a long season of not moving much, I can convince myself that this is my life now, that I’m just a sore-back-guy, that there’s no hope.
Here’s the connection: when I stagnate spiritually for too long, I tighten up.
When I stop reading my Bible, forgo prayer, skip church, or forget God, my heart tightens up. My spirit feels like it’s harder and harder to get back. And after awhile, I can convince myself that this is how I am now, that I can’t get back to the things of God, or it’ll be too hard, or I don’t have what it takes.
But if I can encourage you today: just like our physical bodies, once I get moving again, I feel the positive effects of my efforts almost immediately. It may be hard to get my butt to the gym, but once I get moving a bit and get some blood flowing, I always walk out glad that I came.
It’s the same spiritually. I’ve never ended a time of Bible reading and thought, “Well, that was a waste of time.” I’ve never walked out of church — especially after it was particularly difficult to get there that day — and thought “I should’ve stayed in bed.” And I’ve definitely never prayed and then felt worse afterward.
Why? I’m getting my spiritual juices flowing again. I’m reconnecting to the source of all life — Christ Himself. And in Him there is fullness of joy.
Galatians 6:9 tells us “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Don’t stagnate. And if you’re currently in full-blown stagnation, don’t judge yourself too harshly: getting moving can be hard! But do it anyway. Get back in the Word, every day. Pray. Get to church. Re-engage in the things of God. Invariably, when we do, we always find Him to be faithful, and forgiving, and welcoming. He is a good God.
Amen?
_________________________________________________
Every week at Meadows:
- Prayer Gathering on Mondays at 10 AM
- MYG and Connect on Wednesdays at 7 PM
- Prayer Gathering on Mondays at 10 AM
- MYG and Connect on Wednesdays at 7 PM
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I have to admit: I am enjoying the extra daylight.
Yes, I despise losing the hour of sleep, especially on a Sunday, of all days. (Whose idea was it to change the clocks on a Sunday morning, anyway? Probably an atheist.) But it's been nice to get home from work and it not be pitch-black.
Maybe you "I ❤️ Daylight Savings" people are on to something.
And a little birdie told me that there's legislation in progress that would end the dreaded time-change practice in America next year. We can dream, right? At least you won't have to hear your Pastor whine about it every year.
Yes, I despise losing the hour of sleep, especially on a Sunday, of all days. (Whose idea was it to change the clocks on a Sunday morning, anyway? Probably an atheist.) But it's been nice to get home from work and it not be pitch-black.
Maybe you "I ❤️ Daylight Savings" people are on to something.
And a little birdie told me that there's legislation in progress that would end the dreaded time-change practice in America next year. We can dream, right? At least you won't have to hear your Pastor whine about it every year.
_________________________________________________
This Sunday, we’ll conclude our series The Heart of Christ.
We’ve seen Jesus as gentle and lowly (His words), as compassionate, as our Advocate and Intercessor, as our friend, and we even did a deep dive into the Old Testament Hebrew word hesed.
To conclude this series, we’ll take a big picture view of the driving force behind all of what Jesus did and does: what caused Him to come to us at all, what motivated Him to live and die for us, and what drives Him to see this thing through to the end.
Join us this Sunday for the finale, Part 6 - Love.
Looking forward to seeing you all on thew walkway!
Pastor Ronnie
We’ve seen Jesus as gentle and lowly (His words), as compassionate, as our Advocate and Intercessor, as our friend, and we even did a deep dive into the Old Testament Hebrew word hesed.
To conclude this series, we’ll take a big picture view of the driving force behind all of what Jesus did and does: what caused Him to come to us at all, what motivated Him to live and die for us, and what drives Him to see this thing through to the end.
Join us this Sunday for the finale, Part 6 - Love.
Looking forward to seeing you all on thew walkway!
Pastor Ronnie
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