Doing exercises in the gym is not my favourite thing to do. I like dancing much more. So one time when I was on the elliptical machine, I tried distracting myself from watching the timer and looked down the window from the 27th floor. I saw a house with 8 cars parked inside its compound. 3 in the shade and 5 outside of it. Also saw another house with a half-court for basketball. One other house has some dilapidated patched-up structures beside it… looks like a squatter housing.
A thought came: what does God see looking down into the nitty-gritty corners of our homes from above? He sees more than the naked eyes can see. Even the covered areas of the houses and behind closed doors and shuttered windows… He sees more than the activities we do – cooking, leading Bible studies, singing in the choir, driving our children to school or work, taking care of our family, pursuing our career. He looks at the condition of our heart as we do all of the above.
And before I noticed the 5 minutes is nearly up! How time passes more quickly when you’re not really aware of it. Time crawls especially slowly when we want it to pass faster. So another lesson came to mind, when you’re in something deep and troubled, or when you’re in the middle of a difficult situation, it is good exercise to focus on things that will distract you from the difficulty.
I remember when i was in the wheelchair grieving for my mom’s passing and my dad in the hospital, God enabled me opportunities to minister to other people. My maid got sick. I had to help her see a doctor. for more than 2 months on the couch in my bedroom, I had to manage the household best I could.
So I learned that when i am going through all the stretching and straining exercises.. when lifting and pushing weights that is leg-straining and strength-draining.. I set my goal on dancing after doing all these gym exercises. After the surgery from my fall, I needed to train for almost one year before I could go down the stairs normally without feeling the snap in my ankle. The exercises strengthened my legs and my feet so I can start dancing again. I set my mind on thoughts that help me focus on the good and distract me from the difficult stuff.. and I find myself coming out stronger in the end!
A pastor once preached about how helping others in the midst of our difficulty matures us. As we turn our eyes on others who need our help, our pain and challenges become a blessing in disguise for us to experience God’s grace and mercy. We also get to witness how God does indeed work out all things (good and bad) for our good according to His purpose.. to show forth his glory so that all people will know him.
