 strength
About twice a week I go to the gym. It is not far from where I live so if push comes to shove I can actually walk it in about twenty minutes so I have very few excuses for non attendance. My usual programme is to walk up hill on the tread mill thingy and run a couple of laps as well. Following this I do sit ups and floor exercises. I then do muscle building stuff – please don’t laugh those of you who know me, I know I am a bit puny and weedy! Sometimes, particularly if I go to the gym in the mornings, the cycle fitness people are in doing a demanding programme. I feel intimidated just looking at them arrive. Then there are the muscle building boys lifting massive weights. Sometimes a local and very successful boxing champion is there and doesn’t that make you look mighty weak in comparison. Along side much of this is the pounding music to keep you on track and up to the mark. I have to admit but it is really great to be able to retreat to the sauna and jacuzzi. This is usually full of those that never go near the gym entrance and spend the afternoons sitting around. However there are those who are doing the lengths of the pool who cause you to feel shame for your lack of fitness even then! We want to shape up, we want to get fit, we want to find new strength but I have discovered that there are no shortcuts.
There are other kinds of strength. There is inner strength, a resolve that people have in the face of overwhelming odds. There is mental strength so favoured by sports psychologists who see its importance and place for all major and successful sporting stars. Isn’t it amazing how the best football teams keep going to the final whistle and so often score last minute winners.
Many of us when longing to serve God find ourselves giving it our best shot but quickly running out of steam and energy. The kingdom only comes by the Spirit. No wonder Jesus says to us, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Over the last few weeks we have focused on the life of David. When he came to the end of himself and his men were pointing their fingers at him after enemies had taken away all their wives and children (it would annoy one somewhat!) he found a new source of life. It says in 1 Samuel chapter 30 v3-6 When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. David's two wives had been captured-- Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.
May we be those whose strength comes from the Lord and that we find ourselves overcomers even when the odds seem stacked against us.
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