On Sunday, our pastor started a new series of sermons entitled
“Core Strength.” Even though he challenged us to get with an exercise program to
strengthen our physical core, the message was about keeping our spiritual lives
strong. Just as physical core strength has a positive effect on our well-being,
so does staying strong in our faith.
The first broad category was developing an increasing intimacy
with God. This includes the obvious ‘exercises’ of prayer, Bible study, worship
and so on, but it also means reflection. If I have my devotions in the morning,
but never think about the Lord for the rest of the day, then my core is weak.
This is why I spend time with God first thing in the day, but publish His
thoughts to me later, around supper time. This encourages meditation. It also
encourages me to be practical (not academic, etc.) about the things God says to
me.
This morning I am thinking about intimacy too. How is that
defined? Being intimate is about a close personal relationship characterized by
warmth and friendship. It often is about privacy and familiarity with shared
experiences that create bonding. Intimacy with God includes being in His
presence and aware of His presence, sharing our love for one another in
transparency, and realizing He is exactly what He says He is. There is no
bluffing or covering up who I am also. I can tell God anything and everything
because I trust Him, but also because I need to express the burdens and desires
of my heart. He listens — and so do I.
In these days of broken promises and the failure of human
beings to stick to commitments and fulfil their own dreams never mind meet the
expectation of others, my heart is encouraged by the promises of God. Others
may fail, but He does what He says He will do. Two examples:
“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10)
Considering that, I am drawn closer to Him. He feels
compassion for me, and in our interaction I realize how often the emotions I
feel are not mine but His. I feel for the messed up world we live in and know
that those feelings come from Him. We share the same heartache for this broken
world.
On those days when my heart is heavy and I feel dejected
and without a sense of purpose or hope (watching the news does this to me), all
I need to do is sing a few bars of “Jesus loves me” and peace of heart with joy
returns. Yes, the world is in a mess, but that does not change the love of God.
It remains forever because God is a forever God.
On those days when I feel alone, even as if everyone is
against me (this is a lie from Satan, but the emotions are very real), I think
about my standing before God. He loves me, but not only that, He protects me.
He is my pitch-hitter, my hiding place, my defender. He promises to protect me:
“No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:17)
This is intimacy too. Only those who deeply care will go
to bat for someone else. I am a sinner and even though I’ve been redeemed, I do
not deserve the loyal protection Jesus gives me. Yet because He is my Savior
and Friend, I can count on Him whenever I feel life has ganged up on me.
^^^^^^^
Jesus, You know how I can wallow in self-pity, or worry,
or tension. I probably do it because it keeps my focus on me. That is not
intimacy. On days like these, I must keep my eyes and thoughts on You.
Developing my upper abs will be a good reminder that core strength is more than
abs; it is realizing that You are my rock, my solid place. I can depend on You,
no matter what comes along. Bless Your great Name!
