Here is the patience of the saints, those whokeep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Rev. 14:12.
When people hear about "keeping the commandments of God," they often have a negative impression. They think that God is an arbitrary taskmaster who loves to tell people what to do and wants to keep them from having fun. But God's commandments are not designed to make us miserable. He designed them to help us achieve life at its best. So don't do what I did. Don't wait until someone else proves the benefits of obedience before you try God's ways.
You see, based on the Bible and other good counsels that have come my way, I've always been convinced that a consistent program of walking is part of God's plan for my life. But I was always too busy, or I didn't feel like it, or I just had more important things to do (or so I thought). Then one day I read an article in a magazine for over-50 types.
John Stark told how, at age 52, he was the fittest person in a workplace that included many in their 20s and 30s who went to fitness clubs, jogged often, and did weekend activities such as skiing and kayaking. For him it started with a Japanese scientist who found that most people take 3,000-5,000 steps a day. American researchers built on that work by determining that to stay healthy and fight off disease, the average person needs 10,000 steps a day, a distance of about five miles.
Through the use of pedometers (devices that count steps), Stark discovered that he was averaging 20,000 steps a day and that few of the "weekend athletes" were even close to 10,000 steps a day. What was Stark's secret? Walking had become part of his life. He lives in Boston without a car in a fourth-floor walk-up apartment with no buzzer. He is, therefore, constantly up and down stairs to answer the door (38 steps each way) and walks to the subway (607 steps), the grocery store (3,000 steps round-trip), and the bank (8,000 steps round-trip). His two dogs require two or three walks a day (2,000 steps each), and often have to go "out" as well.
The article inspired me to change my life. I bought a pedometer (I'm fairly competitive and love watching the steps accumulate each day). While I drive to work, I walk home each day for lunch (5,000 steps). I scamper to the library, administration building, or the post office for every detail, instead of having my secretary do it for me (hope she's OK with this). And I dash around the building to drop stuff off, instead of using intercampus mail. The result? God knows what He is doing, and His commands are not grievous. Having lost 10 pounds and 20 years, I have energy I don't remember having since I was in college (don't ask when). My mind fills with inspirational thoughts as I walk, often with a book. I can't remember when I felt this happy. God's ways are the best after all. Next time I'll take Him at His word.
Lord, I want to walk with You today. Help me to know the joy of obedience.
When people hear about "keeping the commandments of God," they often have a negative impression. They think that God is an arbitrary taskmaster who loves to tell people what to do and wants to keep them from having fun. But God's commandments are not designed to make us miserable. He designed them to help us achieve life at its best. So don't do what I did. Don't wait until someone else proves the benefits of obedience before you try God's ways.
You see, based on the Bible and other good counsels that have come my way, I've always been convinced that a consistent program of walking is part of God's plan for my life. But I was always too busy, or I didn't feel like it, or I just had more important things to do (or so I thought). Then one day I read an article in a magazine for over-50 types.
John Stark told how, at age 52, he was the fittest person in a workplace that included many in their 20s and 30s who went to fitness clubs, jogged often, and did weekend activities such as skiing and kayaking. For him it started with a Japanese scientist who found that most people take 3,000-5,000 steps a day. American researchers built on that work by determining that to stay healthy and fight off disease, the average person needs 10,000 steps a day, a distance of about five miles.
Through the use of pedometers (devices that count steps), Stark discovered that he was averaging 20,000 steps a day and that few of the "weekend athletes" were even close to 10,000 steps a day. What was Stark's secret? Walking had become part of his life. He lives in Boston without a car in a fourth-floor walk-up apartment with no buzzer. He is, therefore, constantly up and down stairs to answer the door (38 steps each way) and walks to the subway (607 steps), the grocery store (3,000 steps round-trip), and the bank (8,000 steps round-trip). His two dogs require two or three walks a day (2,000 steps each), and often have to go "out" as well.
The article inspired me to change my life. I bought a pedometer (I'm fairly competitive and love watching the steps accumulate each day). While I drive to work, I walk home each day for lunch (5,000 steps). I scamper to the library, administration building, or the post office for every detail, instead of having my secretary do it for me (hope she's OK with this). And I dash around the building to drop stuff off, instead of using intercampus mail. The result? God knows what He is doing, and His commands are not grievous. Having lost 10 pounds and 20 years, I have energy I don't remember having since I was in college (don't ask when). My mind fills with inspirational thoughts as I walk, often with a book. I can't remember when I felt this happy. God's ways are the best after all. Next time I'll take Him at His word.
Lord, I want to walk with You today. Help me to know the joy of obedience.
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