Glen Avon Presbyterian Church

“A MARCH FITNESS PLAN”

Rev. Lon Weaver

The turn of February to March reminds us that the turn from winter to spring will soon be upon us. After living in the Northland for a time, one gets it that here spring weather arrives a few weeks (or months) later than the first day of the spring season, Saturday, March 20^th. That has its advantages and its disadvantages. The disadvantages are obvious for those who yearn for the budding and revival of vegetation, in gardens and forests, and for those who tire of heating bills. The advantages are less noticeable. Perhaps the most important one is that it permits us greater time for—what would one call it?—tending of the inner world. The frozen outer world can lead us into a period of deeper work with our spirits. As we study spiritual disciplines on Tuesday evening during Lent, it becomes clear that disciplines are really fitness exercises for the soul. Just as we’ve been blessed with bodies to savor the gift of life, so we have that blessing of the inner world, with all of its joys and puzzles. That inner “body” can become flabby just as the outer one. Unused and unexercised, it becomes a passive entity, unresponsive—sometimes unable to respond—to the movements and impulses of the Holy Spirit.

Honestly ask yourself, what shape are you in? Go beyond the culture’s soon-to-come invitation to get back into physical shape. Take on the important and meaningful challenge of getting into spiritual shape. Consider what it could mean for the world around you if you spent important moments each day tending your spiritual fitness. Paul offers this teaching:

“the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

(Galatians 5:22,23)

What would it mean for your inner health for those to be the dominant qualities of your heart? What could it mean for the people around you for someone of those qualities to be a significant presence in their lives? The answer? It could change and heal and transform their lives: this is change which they would fully embrace.

So, take these last weeks or months of winter and savor the opportunity to get in shape: the body, yes; but the spirit, two-times yes!