Spiritual Challenges

The Good News Today Is...the Word always challenges us. Reading the bible is an exercise in spiritual fitness. It is very much like exercising the body. We resist getting started, we find it hard to do regularly, and it can cause pain as we grow in understanding. That is how I felt when I read the lectionary scriptures for this week. "When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains." (Mark 13:7-8) These are tough words and when I stretch my spiritual being into studying them, it hurts. Wrapping myself around such thoughts tests my faith and my understanding of the word. Yet spiritual exercise also cleanses me and refreshes me - even though it is hard. Pushing forward is the only way to have a spiritual break through - exercise your spiritual being and grow stronger in Christ. The rewards are awesome!