I am still walking on that elliptical machine I told you about a few years ago. With another measureable loss of vision lately, it becomes more and more the only safe way to exercise—you don’t step in any holes or trip over limbs or vines on an elliptical machine
I stepped off one day a couple of months ago and looked at the read-out. It informed me that I had “walked” three and a half miles in 30 minutes.
“Wow,” I thought. “Not bad.” And then I thought to myself, “Wait a minute.” Thirty years ago I only managed five miles in 48 minutes JOGGING. That’s over nine minutes a mile. And thirty years later I am supposed to believe I beat that rate WALKING?
“Hmppph,” I muttered with my new perspective, “If that’s true, I’m a Martian.”
Looking at myself through the eyes of cold clear logic, I cut the read-out figures almost in half. Maybe I managed two miles—maybe. I don’t have much faith in that read-out now.
But—can I be just as clear-headed when I examine my heart? Can I see with cool logic that my words and thoughts give me away? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, Matt 12:34. Can I see the flaws, the weak spots, the chinks in my armor?
Believing the best about myself may seem “healthy. “ It may feel good. It may give me a boost, and surely it’s more important to be encouraged than depressed, isn’t it? Spiritual buoyancy is not the way to Heaven. In fact, it will lead you the other direction quickly.
I need to see clearly. Deluding myself about my faults won’t fix my soul any more than walking two miles will burn the same calories as walking three and a half. And one is a whole lot more important than the other.
Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise, 1Cor 3:18
Dene Ward
I stepped off one day a couple of months ago and looked at the read-out. It informed me that I had “walked” three and a half miles in 30 minutes.
“Wow,” I thought. “Not bad.” And then I thought to myself, “Wait a minute.” Thirty years ago I only managed five miles in 48 minutes JOGGING. That’s over nine minutes a mile. And thirty years later I am supposed to believe I beat that rate WALKING?
“Hmppph,” I muttered with my new perspective, “If that’s true, I’m a Martian.”
Looking at myself through the eyes of cold clear logic, I cut the read-out figures almost in half. Maybe I managed two miles—maybe. I don’t have much faith in that read-out now.
But—can I be just as clear-headed when I examine my heart? Can I see with cool logic that my words and thoughts give me away? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, Matt 12:34. Can I see the flaws, the weak spots, the chinks in my armor?
Believing the best about myself may seem “healthy. “ It may feel good. It may give me a boost, and surely it’s more important to be encouraged than depressed, isn’t it? Spiritual buoyancy is not the way to Heaven. In fact, it will lead you the other direction quickly.
I need to see clearly. Deluding myself about my faults won’t fix my soul any more than walking two miles will burn the same calories as walking three and a half. And one is a whole lot more important than the other.
Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise, 1Cor 3:18
Dene Ward
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