Responsible Exercise

1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.

What God has given me is good. Where He has led me is right. That which He has purposed for me is proper. What He has given to others is for them; He will hold them accountable for how they used their gifts, for how they followed God's leading for them. I have only what comes from God, and only what God has given me will I be responsible for. For only what God has given me will He give me strength and skill to use.

I may go my own way along a path of my own choosing for a while. But when I come up short in a situation I don't want, God is still there, and He has a path out. He makes a way, and He is recognized as praise-worthy, receiving the glory and honor for His love to His children.

If I try to walk in the gifts and circumstances of others, I will fail. If I try to compare myself to others, I will despair. If I try to live in the past, by previous standards, when life was "easier," I will be out of step. Each of us has a part to play in God's plan, both in ministry to God, and in service to others. And as we grow in knowledge and understanding, in experience and wisdom, we are given tasks that continue to stretch our faith and exercise our walk with God. We find that growing in God requires us to draw closer to God and draw more heavily on His Spirit to do His work. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 If anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation; old things have passed away.

The new creation takes but a moment to occur. The replacing of the old things, the growth into our new life, the realizing of the potential placed in us at the moment of our new birth takes all the rest of the time God gives us. He is merciful in not requiring us to move, to grow, to change, to overcome any quicker than we are able to. 

He is patient as we honestly try, even when we fail and have to try again, as often as we need to. But God knows the heart, and has discipline for the slacker who does not want to exert himself. The difference in "I'm trying, but haven't quite got it," and "I know what I should do, but just really don't want to, yet," is something known only to God and the person themselves. And God always responds to His children in love, never frustration, exasperation, exhaustion or anger.

The exercises of a godly life which bring us into the path God has us to follow, achieving maturity, acceptance of His will, and an abiding peace as we walk in the knowledge of His presence, are basic and daily. First, read His Word, spend time considering what you have read, and speak it back to God. Make the time in your day to get from God and give to God, just as you would a friend. Learn of His love through His word and experience His love through conversation with Him.

Second, surrender to His leading in your life. Start with the small things to be obedient in, such as reading His word and conversing with Him. As your hearing and understanding increase, He will speak other things into your heart and mind. He may lead you to let go of some activities to have time for others that lead to better health. He may lead you to spend less time with some people who do not support you and give you other people who are uplifting and supportive of your walk in God. By exercising your faith and obedience daily, you grow stronger and more capable of moving obediently in His Spirit to bring praise and honor to His name and growth and increase to His kingdom.

Luke 6:42 First take the plank out of your eye and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

Third, show God's love to others through uncritical witness and non-judgmental service. Just as God meets your needs, imperfect though you are, whether material, emotional, or spiritual, as He leads you and prompts you, show His enfolding love through humble and gracious service to others with the gifts, skills, talents, goods that He gives you. Whether you pick up groceries for a neighbor who cannot easily get out, or you spend time listening to a friend who is facing a problem and needs to talk it out, or speak an encouraging word, or give a moment to pray with someone, or any of a multitude of other needs, follow His example and give as He directs. And always, be in fellowship with other believers. 

Hebrews 10:25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Learn of God from them and share God with them.

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

Grow with each other, in God's grace, love, and power. 

Ecclesiastes 4:12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Father God, thank You that You do see trouble and grief; You consider it to take it in hand. When we are in the midst of the storm, Lord, we turn to You in trust and reliance. We want the wind and waves to die down and give us calm sailing, but regardless of the circumstances, we know You are with us and we proclaim our trust in You, knowing that You will see us through this storm, for You have a purpose for us. We submit to Your will, and walk in obedience each day, turning our thoughts to You. Although our ways may not always be prosperous, we humble our hearts before You and draw near to walk always in Your ways. As You shake our world, You steady our hearts as we trust in You and You stabilize our minds as we lean on Your understanding rather than our own. We acknowledge You in all our ways and give You all the glory!

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