This Doesn’t Feel Like Exercise, Does It?
“…there is a [true, loving] friend who [is reliable and] sticks closer than a brother.”(Proverbs 18:24b, Amplified Bible)
“This doesn’t feel like exercise, does it?” the fit, perky blond asked. She wore a yellow top with her black exercise pants. The class, a group of trim women of varies ages, heights, and builds, all wore yellow tops with black bottoms… it seemed to be the theme color. Their answer was obvious: “No, this doesn’t feel like exercise!”
“Well, actually, yes, it does feel like exercise!” I responded breathlessly to the happy faces on the screen. I’ve been doing this healthy aerobic work-out more than five years and it still feels like what it is: exercise. To me it’s work. But over time I have seen the promised results.
It reminded me of how I once felt about prayer. There was a time in my life when prayer felt like work. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to do it (unlike exercise!), but it took time I didn’t feel I had, and I wasn’t sure prayer made a difference.
One day I realized that prayer is a quiet conversation with my very best Friend. A friend I can say anything to and share everything with. A Friend who will understand when I rail in anger (as David did 1), cry with me when I’m sad, upset or overwhelmed (as Jesus was in Gethsemane 2) and rejoice with me in my happiest moments (as You will rejoice when Your faithful servants appear 3). A Friend who’s “been there” wherever “there” is. A Friend I can trust with all my heart. A Friend Who will love me no matter what.
I discovered His offer of friendship by reading His book. On the pages of His book, He revealed Himself and taught me to recognize His voice (enabling me to “hear” Him as well as speak with Him). And I learned that even if prayer doesn’t seem to solve the problem it strengthens our relationship and changes my heart.
Thank You, Lord, my dearest Friend, for leaving me Your book and giving me Your unconditional love and friendship. Thank You for revealing Your heart, showing me I can trust You.
