The payoff!

I rejoined the YMCA today. It is something I've been putting off for a few months. As soon as Andrew got up, we jumped in the car so I wouldn't change my mind. I did 25 minutes on a new cardio machine...and I FEEL GOOD! My blood is pumping. I have energy to do all the things "on my list". Exercising refreshes me and gives me the energy for each day.

It reminds me of how great it is to spend time with God daily. When I'm out of the routine, it is hard to take the first step...to open up my Bible and seek God. I find a million reasons to procrastinate. Yet He's always there, with open arms, waiting to fellowship with me. Just like when I exercise regularly I see the physical pay off; when I spend time with God daily, I begin to see the spiritual payoff: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control!

Galations 5 (from the Message)

22-23But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

23-24Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.

25-26Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.