Most people nowadays are very health conscious. Recently a friend invited me to go with her to the gym to experience the modern facilities and do some training. We went in the evening. First, we joined the Zumba class, and we were soaked in sweat after an hour. Then we swam in the heated pool next to the gym. For someone like me who has not been to a gym for years, it’s not surprising that when I came out of the pool, I was sore all over, and could barely lift my arms. Fortunately, I was more relaxed mentally the next day, and felt joyfully refreshed. However, I was also surprised by the decline in my physical fitness – how could just four or five laps of swimming bring such severe side effects? Obviously, the lack of regular exercise is one of the reasons. This experience reminded me of the importance of exercise, and to plan exercise in my diary as I grow older.
While physical health is important, isn’t spiritual health just as important? Paul says, “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Tim 4:8). Our spiritual health is built upon the foundation of having a close relationship with God, relying on Him and accepting His guidance and comfort. Perhaps we can examine our spiritual condition with some questions. How has my relationship with God been recently? Am I sure that God is in control and helps me in all things? Do I enjoy God? Do I yearn to know and experience God?
Maintaining our spiritual health requires effort. Just as physical health requires regular exercise, spiritual health requires regular bible study, meditation, confession and prayer. Through these spiritual disciplines, we can build a strong and energetic spiritual life. Persistence and regularity are key to the spiritual exercises being effective. Occasional practices will probably not have much impact on our lives. Do you keep a regular exercise routine to improve your physical health? What would you plan to do for better spiritual health? May God help us, and let’s work on this together.
現代人關注健康。近日應朋友邀請，我和她一起去一家健身房，一方面為了體驗那家健身房的各種現代設施，另一方面也藉機好好鍛鍊一下。我們是晚上去的，先參加了Zumba的跳操班，跳了一小時，大汗淋漓。然後又去健身房裡的溫水游泳池遊了泳。對於我這樣一個已經多年沒有去過健身房的人來說，那結果是可想而知的，游泳池出來的時候，渾身酸痛，手臂幾乎都抬不起來了。所幸到了第二天，感受到運動過後的精神輕鬆，有煥然一新的愉悅感。但我還是訝異於自己體能的減退，怎麼才遊了四，五圈，就有那麼厲害的反應呢？顯然，平時疏於鍛煉，是原因之一。此番體驗，提醒了我運動的重要性，隨著年齡增長，保持適時的運動應列入我的行程表。
身體健康值得關注，靈性的健康，又何嘗不是如此呢？保羅說：「操練身體，益處還少；惟獨敬虔，凡事都有益處，因有今生和來生的應許。」（提摩太前書4:8）健康的靈性，建基於我們和神有著親密和諧的關係，倚靠神，也從神領受祂的引導和安慰。或許我們可以問一些這樣的問題來檢驗我們自己的靈性狀態，我最近和神的關係如何？我確信神在一切事上掌權並且幫助我嗎？我是否以神為樂？我渴望更多認識神經歷神嗎？
維持靈性的健康，也是需要付出努力的，好像為了身體的健康需要常常運動，靈性健康需要常常地讀經，默想，認罪，禱告。透過這些屬靈的操練，建立健壯又活潑的靈命。而這些屬靈操練，需要持續進行才會真正產生效果；三天打魚兩天曬網，恐怕難以影響到我們的生命。你會為了身體健康而保持運動的習慣嗎？為了靈性健康，你又會採取什麼措施？求神幫助，讓我們一起努力。
