Loud music. Glistening bodies. High energy. Another aerobics class is in session.
“Exercise!” “Get in shape!” “Tone that body!” Those are buzz words of the 1990s.
Recreational centers are springing up quicker than discount stores. Cities everywhere are offering hockey, basketball, racquetball, swimming, dance, and exercise rooms.
Many people work out on an almost daily basis. They exercise at home, run or walk outdoors, or go to a gym. People who work out regularly feel better, have more energy, and get more done.
This is great for the body, but what about the soul? Where does Jesus fit into this picture? If we exercise our bodies but not our souls, we are not really totally fit.
The Bible says, “The soul who sins is the one who will die” (Ezekiel 18:4). “The dust [body] returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit [soul] returns to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7). This tells us we need to get our souls in shape. We need soul exercise.
We need the daily routine of reading God’s Word. We need to do spiritual breathing exercises under the guidance of a spiritual trainer. We need to get our souls in shape through the message of forgiveness of sins and eternal life provided by the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
As one believer put it, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that lasts forever” (1 Corinthians 9:24,25).
It’s great that so many people desire to exercise their bodies. It’s greater still when people also desire to exercise their souls. That’s the type of fitness that lasts forever.
After a race or a tough workout, a drink of cool water really tastes good. Much better is the taste of the water of life. The message of Jesus Christ provides perfect health for the soul.
Exercise your soul each week at our spiritual training center — our church. You can become totally fit!
Pastor R.
