Happy Friday and a wonderful Fourth of July holiday to you!
Since I seem to be on a theme this week regarding athletics and exercise, I thought I’d share one more recent observation.
Each morning while sipping my coffee and reading my Bible, I love to glance out my window. By nature, I’m such a people watcher. When most of my neighbors glance out their windows, all they see is the adjacent apartment building. But not I. God in His tremendous graciousness chose my particular apartment because He knew how much it would bless me. I glance out at a sub division with a beautiful neighborhood park. Walking paths weave through the streets.
So as I read each morning, I peer out my window. A bit like Jimmy Stewart in Rear Window except I don’t need any binoculars. Even as early as 5:00, I see some people walking alone or with friends, others jogging. Still others cycling. I don’t know any of these people, know nothing about them. Except for one thing: they obviously make exercise a priority.
Their discipline encourages me. I know later in the day, I, too, will walk or go for a bike ride, but there’s something to be said about doing it first thing, if time allows. And for me, it would allow, if I were just a bit more organized. Like maybe writing this blog a day early instead of an hour before my goal of posting by 9 am each morning.
But here’s my point. These folks walking and jogging and cycling don’t have a clue I’m watching them. They’re not exercising for my benefit but for theirs. Obviously. They have no idea that I am encouraged and emboldened by their daily routine.
For those Christians who take their relationship with Christ seriously, they—I—want to be a good testimony to who Christ is. Though I flounder and fall short terribly sometimes in my example, my hope is that overall, when folks look at my life, they see Christ. I want to be a witness to who He is.
But the thing is, I think sometimes we can make this more complicated than it is. Yes, we want to take the opportunity to share Christ with those who don’t know Him as the opportunity arises. But most often, at least for me, this isn’t exactly the focus of my days. My focus is simply to keep my eyes on Christ—to follow Him the best I can.
I have a feeling when I simply do this, Christ is glorified. Doesn’t mean I’ll know it, any more than the early exercisers are aware that I am watching, but nevertheless, I am and am blessed by their diligence.
Just seems God’s fingerprints on Planet Earth are everywhere. When I want to find Him, I just don’t have to look far. There are times, where He appears quiet and distant in our own life for sure. But if we really want to see evidence of Him somewhere, we don’t have to look far. That comforts me.
Have a great weekend, everybody!
Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
(Psalm 145:3 NIV)