subject: Spiritual Nourishment [print this page] Spiritual Nourishment Spiritual Nourishment
Yesterday I completed my Personal Health Profile, an online health assessment offered by health insurance company. Answering specific questions about my diet, I had to count the number of typical daily servings of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes, fried foods and chips. It got quite specific. I reported details of my exercise program-how many minutes of cardiovascular, resistance,and flexibility training I do in an average week.
All of that got me thinking. Physical health is not reached and maintained by simply doing what I want. An element of discipline is required in both diet and exercise. Only as my good intentions are followed by consistent actions will I achieve the desired result.
Similarly, my spiritual health requires intentionality as well. Simply "doing what comes naturally" will take me in the wrong direction. Settling for "the best I can do with my busy schedule" is not enough. Listening to Christian radio and attending church regularly only offers me the "refined foods" provided by others.
Spiritual nourishment that will really grow me demands that I open God's word for myself, studying and praying, journaling, taking regular time for solitude and silence, which doesn't come naturally!
Spiritual exercise comes as I intentionally make friends for Jesus by sharing the experiences I've had with God and engaging in spiritual dialog with coworkers and neighbors. I must look for opportunities to volunteer in my community, serving where no one knows me but where genuine need exists. That's not easy, either.
Indeed, there is a reason for calling these " spiritual disciplines." I must be intentional-focused, purposeful, consistent.
As Paul observes, " No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize"(1 Corinthians 9:27).
This was written by Ed Wright the President of Georgia-Cumberland Conference of SDA and shared by me and preserved in the original.
