In Between

This week I started my physical therapy for the bulging disc in my neck. Thankfully it’s nothing serious, yet. The physical therapist shared that my issue is simply bad posture. He said this is common considering that I’m glued to a desk for hours at a time. I’m the type of person when I get in ‘the zone,’ I can sit for hours at a time and work non-stop. Working is good. Sitting at a desk with your shoulders curled in a hunchback position – not so much. I purchased the UP²⁴ fit wrist band and programmed it to vibrate every hour to remind to get up and stretch. In addition to getting up and stretching regularly, I have to be mindful of how I am sitting. Otherwise, just call me Quasimodo from the novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. Bad habits are hard to break.

In addition to the in office sessions, the physical therapist gave me a regime of movements to do at home to address my poor posture. If I follow the directions and do the work, my posture will improve and I shouldn’t have any more muscle spasms and finger tingling. While under the watchful eye and the constant encouragement from the physical therapist, I perform the prescribed movements obediently. When I leave the session, I feel accomplished. It’s between the sessions where the issues occur.

In my humble opinion, this is like going to Sunday service. You listen to the preacher, write down scriptures and key points knowing that if you heed the message and make the effort to apply the Word to your life, your life will improve.

I find it exciting to learn more about GOD’s promises and easier to engage in praise and worship while I’m in the midst of fellow worshippers. However, when I get home, it’s a different level of effort that’s required. In the past and still to some degree today, I think this is where I have shortchanged myself out of experiencing the abundant life GOD promised. I would go to church, take my notes and think nothing about them until the next Sunday morning session. This is precisely why I was showing little progress in my spiritual walk.

Just like my physical therapy, in order to get the most out of this gift called life, I must do the work between Sunday morning sessions..

FINAL WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT – Philippians 4:9 (NIV) Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

It’s the effort ‘in between’ that makes the difference.

Be Encouraged! Be Blessed!

 this Pastor’s Wife