workout

Exercise can conjure up thoughts of disinterest or enthusiasm. We exercise our rights, our bodies and communication skills. Each of them are important aspects of being fit. Oh, I can be fit to be tied, engage in fit workouts to get and stay healthy or can have a fit that things didn’t go my way or workout.

We need to workout our problems and find solutions and just because circumstances didn’t work out the way we thought they would, we can still express our thoughts and feelings in the gymnasiums of our lives. Taking the weights off our shoulders and bench pressing our fears away, help us to run this race. Running from our troubles just exhausts us, but running into the arms of Jesus gives us peace. You can flex your muscles and spin your wheels but the truth be told; we all want to live healthy lives Right?

There is the story I read of the American businessman on holiday in Mexico when he meets a Mexican fisherman.

When the fisherman came in with his catch, the American asked him how long it took him to catch that many fish. 

“Not long.” was the reply.

“Then why didn’t you stay out longer?” asked the tourist.

“Because this is enough for me and my family.” explained the fisherman.

“So what do you do with the rest of your time?”

“I sleep late, fish for a while, play with my children, take a siesta and spend time with my wife.  Then in the evening, I go into the village to visit my friends, I have a few drinks, play the guitar and sing a few songs.  I have a full life.”

The American was surprised.  “I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you.  You should spend more time on the water fishing, then you can sell the extra fish, make more money and buy a bigger boat.”

“And after that?”

“With the extra money from the bigger boat, you can buy two or three boats and eventually hire more people to operate a fleet of fishing trawlers.  Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can start to negotiate directly with the processing plants.  After a while you would be able to open your own plant.  Then you could leave this little village for Mexico City and eventually, New York!  From there you could operate the whole enterprise.”

“How long would that take?” asked the fisherman.

“20-25 years.”

“And after that?”

“Well my friend, that’s when the fun starts.” explained the tourist, “When the business gets really big, you can sell stock in the company and make millions!”

“Wow, millions.  What happens after that?” asked the fisherman.

“After that you’ll be able to retire on the coast, sleep in every day, do some fishing, play with your grandkids, take a siesta and spend time with your wife.  In the evenings you will be able to go out drinking and singing with your friends.”

The fisherman just shrugged his shoulders and walked away. The fisherman got it.

Balance: physically, emotionally and spiritually. When our workouts are out of whack, we suffer aches and pains, injuries and hurts, neglect and stationary lifestyles. These only impede our progress. Find the rhythms, the cadences of our bodies and minds, the rituals of spirituality in prayer and reading the Word and finding that peace in our souls, because in the end, "we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Workout, yes! “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews12:2-3).