Stretching

I have two morning routines now that I have the time. I start the day with coffee and devotion, then head out for a walk. The devotion I've been doing faithfully for 7 years but I've only been walking 4 miles a day 3 to 5 times a week for the better part of three months now. I know the value of warming up and then stretching before I head out, but I don't always do it.

Yesterday morning I hit the pavement without loosening up, and in less than a mile, my calves and shins were screaming "Fire, Somebody get a hose and beat that woman walking us with it!" Hating to lose my pace, but knowing I wouldn't be able to make 2 miles, much less 4, I stopped and did a few obligatory stretches, which helped, but my walk was definitely not what I wanted it to be. This morning I made sure I did my 5-minute warm-up and stretch before pumping these short legs of mine too hard! I can't tell you that the 70-minute walk was totally pain-free, but you know what they say, "No pain, no gain!"

One of the things I like about walking, aside from the health benefits, is time to think, time to clear my head and focus on nothing, or often, time to spend with God. As I was walking today, I realized that warming up and stretching are just as important to my devotional life. If I'm not careful, I'll just plunge into a devotional reading without greeting God by spending time in prayer and clearing the way for a few minutes of sweet communion with Him--the warm-up so to speak. And, I know that if I skip the scriptures that support whatever I'm reading for the day, then I've just read another great author's writing and missed what the Author and Finisher of our faith has to say. The stretch comes in meditating on the Word. The stretch happens when I apply what it has to say to every aspect of my life so that it is assimilated into the very nature of my being, kind of like the stretches any serious walker should do after a long, hard walk.

Although I'm not a serious athlete, I am serious about my walk, both physically and especially spiritually. I'm pretty sure I won't be skipping the warm-up and stretches again which make for a great finish!

The Right Question

I have of late been struggling with the question "What does God want me to do?" Perhaps struggling is not the right word right now. And maybe"What does God want me to do" is not the right question right now. I recently neglected a responsibility I take seriously and felt the pangs of guilt in my forgetfulness to take care of it. You see, I'm the pinch hitter on the piano at my church, and yesterday-on the the 4th of July of all days-I left my church in a pinch! I had forgotten to get someone to play in my absence. At 9:30 on Sunday evening as the fireworks were going off all around me, they finally went off in my head too. I'm a "doer" so how could I have not done this? I quickly shot out an email apologizing to the key players at church and thanked them for their forgiveness and understanding. Then I sat down for a spell and talked with God about it. I know He and my pastor forgive me!

This morning, still stinging from my failure, God revealed in my heart what I knew in my head. It's not what I do, which will always come up short on my own power, but who I am in Christ that matters most. So, who am I in Christ?

I am His child.
I am loved.
I am forgiven.
I am accepted.
I am free.
I am at peace.
I am secure.
I am chosen of God, holy and loved dearly.
I am sealed.
I am light in the world.
I am Jesus' friend.
I am God's workmanship, created to do His work He set aside for me.

OK. So I'm back to "doing". I am a "doer". "Doing" is the expression of my heart. "Doing" is the expression of my love and gratitude and humility in response to God's love and grace and mercy. I still want to know what God wants me to do. Until He reveals that, I shall rest in the knowledge of who I am!