Pastor's Message

October 2003

In a little booklet titled, “The Key to Personal Peace,” Billy Graham writes, “Our world today puts great emphasis on developing the body and the mind. And while these are important, you also have a soul that needs attention.” Some time ago I had written about spiritual fitness, comparing it to physical fitness, but these two sentences have prompted me to reflect further on this subject.

Dr. Graham doesn’t talk about fitness, but about “developing” the body and the mind. That gives a little different perspective to the discussion. Even though our modern society has begun to talk more about physical fitness, we still have many people in our culture for whom “fitness” has no attraction. For example, a comedian commented that his wife told him to exercise more to get into shape, and he responded that he didn’t have to exercise. He was very content being round, and round is a shape! But even if we do not want to “be in shape,” we have all taken some kind of action to “develop” our bodies, either by intention or by default. In Africa I met many young adults who were very small and thin, a result of an inadequate diet. In China, in generations past, mothers would wrap their little girl’s feet tightly, so that the feet wouldn’t grow and they would have small feet, considered attractive in their culture. In our culture we like to see people who are physically fit, who are athletic, and so we encourage our children to get involved in sports and get plenty of exercise, with the hope that they will develop attractive bodies.

There is a parallel in the development of our minds. In our country, we insist that all children go to school, that all have an equal opportunity for basic education, and that “no child is left behind,” according to a recent Presidential program. Many parents get frustrated with their children when they spend too much time just sitting in front of the TV or playing computer games, telling them to “do something worthwhile.” Even as we grow older, we are encouraged to continue developing our minds by taking evening classes, reading or going on educational trips. Even those with diseases that affect learning are encouraged to continue learning at whatever level they can. For example those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease are encouraged to sing along, do puzzles and even just reminisce about childhood events, in order to continue developing their minds.

But there is also a spiritual parallel to the development of mind and body. This is something that is often overlooked, or dealt with in such superficial expressions as “get over it” or “just suck it up.” This kind of advice, given in the face of difficulty or crisis, seems to be saying that we just have to be quiet and endure. But just like we could never run a marathon if we didn’t develop our abilities to run, and just like we could never pass the bar exam and become a lawyer if we didn’t attend school and study, in the same way we find it almost overwhelming to deal with the crises and pressures of life if we haven’t developed spiritually.

Billy Graham observes that the soul actually demands as much attention as the body. The human soul “demands” fellowship with God, the creator of our soul, and it demands worship, quietness and meditation. These things nourish and develop our souls. Without them, our souls become weak. Our spirits “atrophy” just like our muscles atrophy through disuse.

So what do we do to develop our souls? We come into fellowship with God, through worship, through prayer and Bible study and through fellowship with other Christians. We come into fellowship with God when we show love for our neighbors. We come into fellowship through service to the poor and hungry. But notice that every one of these activities requires some effort on our part, just like exercise strengthens the body and study strengthens the mind. And not one of these activities is sufficient by itself, just like no single exercise is sufficient to strengthen the whole body. Therefore, give some effort, some time and attention, to the development of your soul. As you do, you will find a new spiritual strength, through God’s grace, that will enable you to live through every challenge that life may present to you.