(ok, my metaphore is long. I know. But if you are discouraged or disappointed with life, you can afford a few minutes to read this. In fact, it might not be that bad for anyone to read this.)
A METAPHORE AND AN EXPLANATION.
Both are really important. The metaphore comes from a reality I am dealing with this morning. I sometimes fail to do my exercise routine... but...
METAPHORE
I have always loved sports and exercise since I was a child. Although I was not involved in "organized" sports I did fairly well in the activities I enjoyed. Among other things, when I was about 14 years old (1961-2) and working out at my dad's health studio in Morehead, I weighed about 125# and I could one arm snatch 125#. A one arm snatch is grabbing the barbell with one hand and raising it quickly, in one motion, over your head, locking your arm so that you are standing upright with your arm straight over your head and body. I could actually snatch 100# cold. In other words, without any warm up or preparation, simply walk up to a fully loaded hundred pound set and snatch it at any time. As I said, I was 14 and one arm snatching my body weight.
I continued to work out sporadically through the years, with lapses and lay offs coming because of sickness or responsibilities. Still I did fairly well.
THIS PART IS IMPORTANT. But there came a time when I did not work out on a regular basis and eventually I seldom worked out at all. It seems that each time I made good headway, something would happen that interfered with my routine (health problems, moving, extra jobs). I continued to be physically active when my health allowed (a lot of respiratory problems from my childhood), and there were periods when I would get back into very good exercise routines.
When I was about 38 years old (1985) I was hitting the weights (along with other sports) consistantly, and getting back into pretty good condition. The guys in our church, who were also lifting, would meet once a month to "max out" for fun and mutual encouragement. Though I was never into "heavy lifting," I did like "weight training." I worked on my Bench Press from time to time. During that period I weighed 175# (which was heavier than I wanted to be), but I was improving my health and strength, being at my best condition since I was 22 years old (1969). At 175# I was able to do a strict Bench Press with 255#, which was only 8# short of one and a half times my body weight. Not bad.
Well, we moved again and it was quite a while before I ever got back into a regular routine. We lived in Greensboro, until we were run out of the State by the government. We moved to Texas for several years and then to Tennessee. My exercise program was only occasional during that time. Needless to say, my physical condition was pretty bad. At the age of 58 (2004) we were living in Tennessee, when I started walking and lifting again. By 2005 I had dropped my body weight, my breathing improved dramatically and my over all condition was the best I had been in since 1985 (at age 38).
THEN IT HAPPENED. I got West Nile Virus. It almost killed me. Doctors pretty much gave me up for dead, because they could not do anything to help me. In order to improve my breathing situation, we moved to Myrtle Beach. In fact, three of my children (with their families) also moved there, along with some of our parishioners. I played a lot of Pickleball, Raquetball, kayaked and lifted weights, just to stay alive and restore my health and strength. Then we moved to Beaufort in 2016.
I have spent a lot of time fishing and kayaking, and I have been fairly faithful with the iron. But sometimes I miss a workout, for various reasons. Then I miss another workout, and before you know it, I can miss several months. The reasons may be valid (health, other worthy activities, busy) but the missed workouts take a toll on my overall health. I feel bad about missing. It is discouraging to have to start all over again. It is disturbing to think about where I could have been if I have not failed to workout.
BUT FRETTING KEEPS
YOU FROM GETTING.
So, I choose not to fret about it. I just jump back in and get at it again.
NO, I never become what I could have become, but at least I stay in the game and I make the game worth playing.
HERE IT IS.
HERE IT IS.
HERE IT IS.
EXPLANATION
The point in this metaphore is that the same thing can happen in any sphere of life, INCLUDING THE SPIRITUAL.
If we focus on where we could have been or what we could have become, we will only bury ourselves in self pity.
When you see an area lacki'n,
Or see your foundation crack'n
It's not the time for slack'n,
You need to start attack'n.
There is no time for sit'n,
Set your teeth to grit'n.
Step up and start your hit'n,
And do the thing that's fit'n.
NO, YOU MIGHT NOT BECOME WHAT YOU COULD HAVE BECOME OR YOU WANTED TO BECOME.
BUT AT LEAST YOU CAN SAVE YOURSELF FROM THE TRASH HEAP OF LIFE, IF YOU DO THE RIGHT THING NOW.
Remember, God is the God of New Beginnings. God redeems that which is lost.
This is true in so many areas, but of course, my main concern for you is your life in Christ.
You can be the man, or you can be the woman God wants you to be NOW.
You can be the husband, father; you can be the wife, mother God wants you to be NOW.
But only if you slam the door on failure and walk through the door of NEW BEGINNINGS... NOW.
It's time to cope,
Not time to mope.
Start to hope.
He is the Anchor,
Now hold the rope.
A METAPHORE AND AN EXPLANATION.
Both are really important. The metaphore comes from a reality I am dealing with this morning. I sometimes fail to do my exercise routine... but...
METAPHORE
I have always loved sports and exercise since I was a child. Although I was not involved in "organized" sports I did fairly well in the activities I enjoyed. Among other things, when I was about 14 years old (1961-2) and working out at my dad's health studio in Morehead, I weighed about 125# and I could one arm snatch 125#. A one arm snatch is grabbing the barbell with one hand and raising it quickly, in one motion, over your head, locking your arm so that you are standing upright with your arm straight over your head and body. I could actually snatch 100# cold. In other words, without any warm up or preparation, simply walk up to a fully loaded hundred pound set and snatch it at any time. As I said, I was 14 and one arm snatching my body weight.
I continued to work out sporadically through the years, with lapses and lay offs coming because of sickness or responsibilities. Still I did fairly well.
THIS PART IS IMPORTANT. But there came a time when I did not work out on a regular basis and eventually I seldom worked out at all. It seems that each time I made good headway, something would happen that interfered with my routine (health problems, moving, extra jobs). I continued to be physically active when my health allowed (a lot of respiratory problems from my childhood), and there were periods when I would get back into very good exercise routines.
When I was about 38 years old (1985) I was hitting the weights (along with other sports) consistantly, and getting back into pretty good condition. The guys in our church, who were also lifting, would meet once a month to "max out" for fun and mutual encouragement. Though I was never into "heavy lifting," I did like "weight training." I worked on my Bench Press from time to time. During that period I weighed 175# (which was heavier than I wanted to be), but I was improving my health and strength, being at my best condition since I was 22 years old (1969). At 175# I was able to do a strict Bench Press with 255#, which was only 8# short of one and a half times my body weight. Not bad.
Well, we moved again and it was quite a while before I ever got back into a regular routine. We lived in Greensboro, until we were run out of the State by the government. We moved to Texas for several years and then to Tennessee. My exercise program was only occasional during that time. Needless to say, my physical condition was pretty bad. At the age of 58 (2004) we were living in Tennessee, when I started walking and lifting again. By 2005 I had dropped my body weight, my breathing improved dramatically and my over all condition was the best I had been in since 1985 (at age 38).
THEN IT HAPPENED. I got West Nile Virus. It almost killed me. Doctors pretty much gave me up for dead, because they could not do anything to help me. In order to improve my breathing situation, we moved to Myrtle Beach. In fact, three of my children (with their families) also moved there, along with some of our parishioners. I played a lot of Pickleball, Raquetball, kayaked and lifted weights, just to stay alive and restore my health and strength. Then we moved to Beaufort in 2016.
I have spent a lot of time fishing and kayaking, and I have been fairly faithful with the iron. But sometimes I miss a workout, for various reasons. Then I miss another workout, and before you know it, I can miss several months. The reasons may be valid (health, other worthy activities, busy) but the missed workouts take a toll on my overall health. I feel bad about missing. It is discouraging to have to start all over again. It is disturbing to think about where I could have been if I have not failed to workout.
BUT FRETTING KEEPS
YOU FROM GETTING.
So, I choose not to fret about it. I just jump back in and get at it again.
NO, I never become what I could have become, but at least I stay in the game and I make the game worth playing.
HERE IT IS.
HERE IT IS.
HERE IT IS.
EXPLANATION
The point in this metaphore is that the same thing can happen in any sphere of life, INCLUDING THE SPIRITUAL.
If we focus on where we could have been or what we could have become, we will only bury ourselves in self pity.
When you see an area lacki'n,
Or see your foundation crack'n
It's not the time for slack'n,
You need to start attack'n.
There is no time for sit'n,
Set your teeth to grit'n.
Step up and start your hit'n,
And do the thing that's fit'n.
NO, YOU MIGHT NOT BECOME WHAT YOU COULD HAVE BECOME OR YOU WANTED TO BECOME.
BUT AT LEAST YOU CAN SAVE YOURSELF FROM THE TRASH HEAP OF LIFE, IF YOU DO THE RIGHT THING NOW.
Remember, God is the God of New Beginnings. God redeems that which is lost.
This is true in so many areas, but of course, my main concern for you is your life in Christ.
You can be the man, or you can be the woman God wants you to be NOW.
You can be the husband, father; you can be the wife, mother God wants you to be NOW.
But only if you slam the door on failure and walk through the door of NEW BEGINNINGS... NOW.
It's time to cope,
Not time to mope.
Start to hope.
He is the Anchor,
Now hold the rope.
