A time to reflect on sin and warming the muscles of the mind.

Perhaps the deadliest entity in life is when we are falling away from grace and don’t realize it. Exercise too much and the effort to stand or move freely the next day becomes more difficult than we would like. Both entities are crippling to our ability to either think properly, or make serious decisions for a while. Since the two have become crucial to our physical and mental condition we must make a determination to modify one and eliminate the other. Where do we begin?

Our desire to remain physically fit always takes some dedication to the efforts of slowly working into more vigorous activity. We need to allow the muscles to become accustomed to more strenuous exercises a little at a time.

Avoiding sin or what the world places before us that will take over our weak condition, we must also have some dedication to each day, or each moment of finding the reality of God’s word. Like training the muscles to respond to more vigorous activity to recondition itself, so the avoidance of temptation must also respond to activity of the mind.

An athlete knows that when entering the field of sports activity, he must slowly stretch the muscles to avoid serious injury. A cold muscle will be vulnerable to hard hits or falling under the weight of heavier athletes . Warm the muscles by simple ways to get the blood flowing to areas that can be injured, then you are prepared to enter the battle of the day.

Getting up in the morning for a day of regular activity, the mind like muscles is cold, or not quite attuned for a day of mental activity. Like athletes who stretch their muscles, we too must stretch our mind’s ability to protect the mental attacks of life’s sinful ways of drawing us into its vulturous manner of seduction.

What type of simple exercise is sufficient for preparing the mind against evil suggestions? Call on God as one would call upon a parent. Say hello or good morning to your Lord who is waiting for a sign of appreciation for your life, your morning, and the many conditions that are not yet visible. Remember, God is your Father, brother, and advisor throughout the day. These are simple, yet real mental exercises that prepare you for the day ahead, with the muscles of the mind ready for any unforeseen activity that has warmed those mental muscles.

Too often, we forget God at first rising out of bed. Do not fall into the habit of non-dedication with God’s presence. He is there, always ready to stand beside us at every encounter of sin.

Ralph B. Hathaway