| Sunny Side Up June 4, 2003 �2003 Kathleen Gibson Making time for spiritual fitness I attend church on Sundays, and I hate to miss. But Sundays are always cluttered with activity, so on Mondays I do something I've come to realize is necessary to get me through the other six days of the week. I have a regular date with God. We work out. Spiritually, that is. I went too long, you see, promising God that 'one day' I'd give him more time than an hour or two in church a week, or a few minutes a day with a devotional book. When the children were older, when I wasn't so busy, when people would leave me alone, when I didn't have so many deadlines, so many distractions-then I'd really work at getting to know him better. But far too many people chant those very same should'a, would'a, could'a's from their deathbeds. I resolved not to be one of them. A year or so ago, I chose Mondays, then began to deliberately un-clutter them. I still do my usual work. But I've made extra time by rescheduling or omitting optional things. Media. Unnecessary tasks, phone calls, and appointments. I spend that time developing my spiritual fitness instead. On Mondays I open my Bible, full of God's love letters to me, and spend more time reading it than usual. I memorize some of those words, let their keen truth seek out and smooth off the snaggledy edges of my soul. On Mondays I make extra time for prayer. For family and friends. My peace-less world. My country, community, and church. If I've told you I'll pray for you, that's the day I'll open my prayer book and spend a few moments talking to Jesus about you. On Mondays I invite the Holy Spirit to move through my inner rooms and show me the junk I need to toss, the areas he wants to decorate more attractively. On Mondays I fill my spiritual belly with beauty and richness. Nature. Music. Books written by those wiser; spiritually farther along than I. Sometimes Mondays are impossibly frenetic�travel, company, unexpected crises. No problem. I just carry on the next week. But I've come to depend on that weekly spiritual workout. I'm depleted without it. And I don't write as well either. I don't know if I'll always do this on Mondays or if God will point me in another direction. But I can feel the flabby areas of my soul firming up, and though I can't see it, I think my spirit must be lined with stretch marks. Spiritual fitness, like physical fitness, demands all those qualities we hate to spend. Determination. Willpower. Sacrifice. Endurance. It's plum difficult. But if we want an empowered relationship with God, our efforts must be as intentional and as regular as making time to keep our bodies fit. "I wish I knew God better, but I'm too busy," I hear often. To which I answer: If you really want to do something, you'll make the time. We always do. You can respond to this column at [email protected] |