Last Friday I rode two laps at the mountain bike trail in Bloomington. This was a big deal for me as I normally would ride one time around with nary a breath to spare. It truly felt great! Matter-of-fact, I felt good the next couple of days as I thought about what I was able to do on my bike.
It is now Monday afternoon and I am thinking about riding again. The trouble is, I’m not as up for it emotionally as I was last week. Maybe more coffee or positive thinking will help motivate me to ride. Who knows! Funny, isn’t it? Our lives are heavily influenced by impulses, moods and moments to such a degree that carrying out what we know to do becomes a battle of the mind. Why is it such a challenge to do what we know we should do on a consistent basis? Are we really that enslaved to our whims? Well, to a degree, yes. Doing the right, needful, obligatory thing may not be what our heart, mind, soul, gut, impulse, (you name it) wants to do - even as we are doing it.
As adults we have learned that life is hard at times and full of necessary tasks, obligations and losses. Don’t get me wrong, there is much to celebrate in our lives and many experiences that bring joy. What I am wrestling with is the reality of Jesus’ statement that each day has enough trouble of its own. Whether the trouble is external, internal, or more likely, a combination of the two, living consistently with Truth, peace, and joy is a challenge. Quite frankly, getting out of bed is hard enough for most of us sometimes, and some of us most of the time. What then are we to do?
First, don’t be afraid to feel what you feel. The old commercial for Almond Joy says, “Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t.” Our emotions are complicated to understand and influenced by many things. Assuming life is easy emotionally is simply naïve. The chemicals in our brain and the rest of our body influence much of what we feel and experience. Not only that, our muscles, organs, and simply the way they connect and function are often challenged by injury or disease. So we feel what we feel because we feel what we feel! NO, I am not suggesting we should let our feelings and impulses lead us. I am simply saying there is great value in being aware and sensitive to, what our body and heart are saying.
Second, choose to know the Truth and embrace it. Jesus teaches us that as long as He is our foundation, we will be able to stand and interact with whatever comes our way! And, yes, it does come our way! Living with Christ means accepting and implementing His worldview and lifestyle. “Intentional Christianity” is the challenge He calls us to embrace. Taking thoughts captive, doing what isn’t easy for His sake, loving the unlovely, forgiving, serving, etc… These are actions that flow from His Spirit in a person. It doesn’t mean there are no contrary voices inside. It simply means this person takes the road of obedience in spite of impulses and thoughts born of the flesh. The Bible teaches us the flesh is at enmity with the Spirit. This is an important thing to remember. Each day, we must choose to walk by faith rather than sight. To be people of the Spirit rather than the flesh. To hope in what can be rather than what is. We are not to be afraid of what our body says, or our heart and mind are (naturally) presenting as true. What I am suggesting is that self-awareness should be mated with self-mastery. In other words, “’Cuz ya feel like it, don’t mean ya should!” Remember, Jesus teaches us to take up our cross and follow Him. He has promised to transform us as we choose a life of faith.
Third, pace yourself. Jesus often went off to pray and meditate. He understood the value of rest and renewal. We sometimes burn out because we don’t practice self-care. We are not being selfish when we pay attention to what our body and mind are telling us. No, this isn’t the same as living on whims and impulses. I am suggesting that we learn to become good stewards of this life and body (that God refers to as a temple of the Holy Spirit). Make sure your day includes spiritual, emotional, and physical nourishment. After all, you are the only you you’ve got.
Now, should I ride my bike tonight? Whether I do or don’t, I’m just glad God has given me this opportunity to mull it over. After all, He made the trees between which I ride on my bike, which is being powered by the muscles He designed, which are being fueled by the food He causes to grow. So yeah, maybe I do feel like riding tonight! On the other hand...
PASTOR MARK
