But it hurts, it hurts!

For you, Kristine. You asked for it!

My muscles are sore. Every day for the last week I have either gone on a bike ride with my son, to the gym with my daughter or both. The increase in my activity level has left me feeling the results of my efforts. I'm not complaining...much. I can already feel an improvement in my posture and in my energy level. I am even looking forward to the times I am exercising; not because I like sweating, but because I love spending that time with people I love. The long-term benefits clearly outweigh any short-term drawbacks.

The same can be said of our spiritual lives. When we make a decision to follow Christ and really follow Him, there will be times we become spiritually sore. For example, it sounds like a lot of work to pray without ceasing or to forgive someone who hurts me not only seven times, but seventy times seven. Even more challenging than hearing such truth, though, is putting that truth into practice. Forgiving someone who isn't sorry: groan; making a conscious effort to turn my thoughts into prayers: argh. Putting God's truth into practice in practical ways can be difficult, but it will bring a dramatic improvement in your character and in your endurance as you pursue your relationship with Christ. You may even find that you look forward to such challenges; not because you like the struggle, but because you grow to love the One who deserves all the glory even more because of them. You will discover for yourself what a trustworthy, amazing, loving God we serve! The long-term benefits of working out your spiritual muscles last for eternity! To God be the glory!

All of our praise rises to the One who is strong enough to make you strong, exactly as preached in Jesus Christ, precisely as revealed in the mystery kept secret for so long but now an open book through the prophetic Scriptures. All the nations of the world can now know the truth and be brought into obedient belief, carrying out the orders of God, who got all this started, down to the very last letter. All our praise is focused through Jesus on this incomparably wise God! Yes! -Romans 16:25-27, The Message