Sore Muscles.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sore muscles. Last night we took about 30 of our Victory Kidz folks over to the skating rink here in town for Christian Skate night. We skated from 6 – 8, and had a great time. The kids were getting better by the minute, and I was so proud of them for taking the chance of falling in order to be up on those skates. Many spills later, they had a blast, and for that I’m thankful. I came home last night and crashed, and then I woke up this morning.
And here I sit, at my kitchen counter, trying not to move any more than absolutely necessary. I just don’t get it – I remember going skating when I was little and not having this problem. There was a day when I could swim dozens of laps around the pool, get out and go ride miles on my bike, and then play in the backyard for hours and still not be sore the next day. Those days – well, they’re safely tucked away in the scrap books. Because believe you me, they aren’t the days I’m living in right now!
I’ve got muscles that are sore that I didn’t even know existed. Turns out, I’ve got a lot of muscles in my body that don’t get used too often. So when they do get used (and abused, I might add) they are sore. Well maybe the simple word “sore” just doesn’t aptly describe the sensation I feel right now…let’s try “aching in ways that cannot be put into words.” Better.
How many times have you gone to church and been challenged by a message, or gone to church camp or a revival and walked away just a tad bit sore spiritually? Or you cracked open the Word for a few minutes to do a little reading and by the time you closed it you were just a bit “achy” from being challenged by Him? When we use physical muscles that are out of practice, they get sore. And when we step out of our box and begin to use spiritual muscles that are out of practice, we’re bound to be sore and stretched as well.
When’s the last time you told somebody about Jesus? When’s the last time you poured your heart out to Him in worship, even if nobody else was around? When’s the last time you spent some good, quality time in the Book? When’s the last time you spent some serious time in prayer, more than just blessing a meal? When’s the last time you served the needs of someone else, and it required a little sacrifice on your part? When?
If the Church will begin to rise up and be the Church, sure it may make us a little sore, but the end result? Well, the next time I go skating it won’t hurt quite as much and I’ll have a bit more stamina. So today, ask God to stretch you out of your box. Ask Him to make your spiritual muscles a little sore from doing what they aren’t used to. After all, the only way to build muscle mass is by making a little sacrifice for the cause.
John the Baptist said this in John 3:30, “He must increase and I must decrease.” Make that your prayer today.

That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
Blake

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