Jack Lindsey is the current “Past-President” at Bethany. He has graciously agreed to share some of his past devotional writings on this site.
Author’s Note: By now we should be moving toward the warm season, so please enjoy this Summer column from a few years ago.
“The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” – (Exodus 15:2)
One of the things I look forward to about summer is seeing our hummingbirds. Hummingbirds live on nectar from flowers and the sugars that are found in specialty feeders. My wife Jean maintains a hummingbird feeder at our house in the mountains, and it is remarkable to watch the birds that visit us during the spring and summer months.
These little birds are amazing. Their average weight is 1/8th of an ounce. Their wings beat between forty and eighty beats per second. They breathe approximately 250 times per minute. Their heart rate is an unbelievable 250 beats per minute at rest and 1200 beats per minute while feeding. In flight they reach up to 63 miles per hour. Most researchers accept the fact that those who migrate along our Rocky Mountains to Mexico do so by taking non-stop flights taking 18-20 hours. What a challenge they face just to exist and continue their species. Talk about enormous God-given strength in a small package!
When we are working to be healthy we continually seek strength – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In times of trial that is often our silent plea, “Give me strength!” Medical research is pretty clear that movement, whether just walking around the block or doing weights at the gym, gives us strength. So part of our stewardship of the bodies we are given is to move, which can provide strength in both physical and emotional aspects. And it is important to make a move toward spiritual strength also, to support a total picture of health.
But what exercises build spiritual strength? That’s the easy one, you are required to build your awareness of your source of strength. You can move toward better awareness through prayer, bible reading, and participating in your faith community. This can give you the spiritual strength that allows you access to complete health.
You know the story of David and Goliath. Never was a contest of strength, particularly unequal strength, so well portrayed as in this Biblical drama. David was a strong and healthy young man, but he was facing an enemy of Biblical proportions, if you’ll forgive the pun. Dale Fletcher, in an online devotional, provides the following insights: When David came face to face with the giant, he relied on God’s presence for strength. David was clearly aware that God was with him, and that the battle was not his, but God’s. During David’s battle, he focused on God’s presence, not his circumstance or problem. David’s knowledge of God’s presence prevented him from becoming discouraged or giving up.
If we focus on life’s challenges and opposition in the battles we face, we are likely to lose hope and give up. When we stay in God’s presence and keep the focus on Him, He will give us optimism and the strength we need. So make your moves, and keep on moving, your total health will benefit. – Peace and health, Jack Lindsey.
© 2010 Jack Lindsey, Denver, Colorado – Used with permission
