The Soul's Gymnasium

Most, if not all, health care professionals expound the need for and value of physical exercise. Paul reminds us of the need for soul exercises, “Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God.” Hebrews 6:1. The idea given here is that we should faithfully exercise our souls so that they will have authority over our bodies.

Life is organized largely according to the needs of the body. We build homes to house the body. We wear clothes to cover the body and keep it warm. We prepare and eat food to nourish the body. We visit our doctors to keep our bodies healthy and well.

Gymnasiums, golf courses, tennis courts, game fields are venues to exercise the body. Most products are invented, manufactured, and sold for the convenience of the body. Of course, we would not have it any other way. Who wants to discard the beautiful things that bless and brighten life?

The problem however, is that we do not utilize the resources we have available to us that helps to keep the soul well and fit. The soul has not kept pace with the body, it lags behind. Perhaps, because so much attention these days is on physical health and fitness, with little directed towards spiritual health and fitness, we have become undisturbed by our spiritual flabbiness which has resulted in our failing to attend to the needs of the soul as we should. But Paul reminds us as he instructs Timothy to remember to “exercise thyself rather unto godliness.”

Unlike exercise for the body, soul work is not necessarily constrained by rigid schedules and rules. But it does require time for conscientious introspection, contemplation, verbal and nonverbal prayer, reflection, meditation, being still and knowing that God is God. Just as brisk walking, jogging and playing are bodily exercises, the soul exercises are the spiritual activities we engage in that cleanses the soul of rubbish, disposing it of all forms of evil. During the time we spend in our soul gymnasium, we are purging the soul of anything and everything that would otherwise destroy the life of grace in our souls. It eliminate barriers existing between God and us, so we may seek God’s will and grace in our lives. And, just as after physical exercise we feel renewed and revitalized, likewise after our soul’s exercise session we experience renewal of heart, soul, spirit and mind. For many, moments spent in exercise of the soul became turning points in their lives, landmarks, moments of deepened faith and spiritual enlightenment.

At the age of 30, Ignatius of Loyola was wounded in both legs in a battle defending the fortress at Pamplona in northern Spain. In the hospital, he underwent a painful and virtually unsuccessful operation. But during convalescence journey, he read a book on the life of Christ that transformed his life. Being converted, he wrote his “Spiritual Exercises,” one of the most widely used retreat resources in the world today. In it, he discusses the supreme divine value of spiritual exercises and self discipline.

Paul is also telling us that spiritual growth is essential to the Christian life. Remaining a baby Christian is not the goal of life. We do not expect our children to remain children and if it appears that they are not developing appropriately, we become concerned and seek help in discovering and fixing whatever is blocking their growth process. As Christians, we cannot become satisfied with where we are. We are born again, so we can become mature Christians, actively serving the Lord. It is a life long process. The soul gymnasium helps to identify and fix whatever may be blocking our spiritual growth. Our soul exercise continues throughout our lives.

As mature as he was, Paul did not consider himself to have achieved perfection to the point of where he felt comfortable in ceasing to strive toward a more perfect union with Christ. As he matured in the faith, he forgot previous achievements (and failures) and pressed on to greater height. So it is with us. We must grow, and to grow we must regularly visit the gymnasium of the soul and “work out.”

Practicing the following may help you, as it does me, to strengthen your walk of faith, as you trust God with every detail of your life.

SPIRITUAL GROWTH (an acrostic)

Spend time in your soul's gymnasium.

Pray without ceasing.

Involve yourself in a ministry group.

Remember to study (not just read) God's Word.

Intentionally focus on your interior life deficits (we all have them).

Thirst for a more intimate relationship with God.

Undertake to develop a deeper understanding of the depths of who God is.

Attend your place of worship often.

Let nothing detract you from your purposeful growth activities.

Glorify God.

Repent of sins that would hinder your spiritual development.

Obedience to God moment by moment.

Witness for Christ by utilizing all your God-given talents.

Trust God for keeping His promises.

Holy Spirit - allow Him to control and empower your daily life.