Sunday, July 14, 2013

By: Gwen Hitt

"How Do You Eat An Elephant?"

Matthew 25:21 "His Master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things."

During my recent doctor's visit for a severe summer cold, I asked my doctor about my slightly elevated cholesterol level indicated on my latest blood work results. He quickly asked if I have been exercising. Unfortunately, when I admitted that I had not, he detected a look of intense dislike for the act of exercising.

My doctor thoroughly began to list the many benefits of exercise - of course, these were things that I had certainly heard before. As I politely listened, he said something that did catch my attention....even though, I had been previously given this same advice. His suggestion was to start making LITTLE changes in my life that would eventually lead to greatly increased physical activity.

When he said this to me, I was reminded of the answer of the title of today's devotion - "How Do You Eat An Elephant?" The answer - ONE BITE AT A TIME - is definitely advice to live by!

According to Aristotle, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit." Therefore, if I make the effort to repeatedly incorporate physical activity in my life, this would lead to forming the habit of exercise leading to the health benefits that my doctor enthusiastically described.

Today's scripture talks about the praise that the servant received from his Master for being faithful with the small things. I do believe that God would be very pleased with us for exercising because of His reminder in 1 Corinthians 6:19 that our bodies are "temples of the Holy Spirit." However, I wholeheartedly believe that God would be even more ecstatic if we would apply this principle to our Christian walks.

I challenge you to always make the daily effort to spend more time with God through prayer and His Word. Additionally, if you are facing a seemingly insurmountable task - slow down, take a deep breath and allow God to lead you one day at a time. Hebrews 10:36 offers the following encouragement "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised."

Dear Lord, I once read that a life well-lived is chosen one day at a time. Help me to form habits that reflect You in my life. I desire to be more and more like you.

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.