Inactivity

I don’t like the word ‘inactivity’ because behind it lies a change or difference in life and lifestyle, sometimes forced on us by circumstance like age, disease or illness. The good part is that inactivity is usually temporary, unlike laziness which tends to describe a way of life.

When we are young, we have enough energy to spare that lets us do all we need and more besides. But when inactivity is forced on us, and it usually is, we have to decide what we will do about it. This is no small decision because it will involve a big change from your normal lifestyle. From being ‘out and about’ at any time of your choosing, it’s now picking carefully when to go out and what to do in the time you have before tiredness and weakness sets in and takes hold.

So, what’s the answer? I think it helps to determine to use your mind instead of your body during this temporary part of your life. How about learning a musical instrument, and perhaps dragging that old dusty ‘musical friend’ from the bottom of the wardrobe and giving it a new lease of life? Or how about reading? No, don’t turn your nose up at that suggestion because one of the best results of reading a good book is that time passes as you get immersed in the story, or learning! Before you know it, the hands on the clock have moved more than you thought, and in that time you have relaxed and learned a lot. Sometimes we need that ‘down time’ to sit, and let your mind do the work. Put another way, how often have you wished for that time when you have been run off your feet dashing here and there trying to squeeze more activity into your day? Well, this is your time.

Talking about reading, takes me to my favourite book and one of the subjects I return to often. Give the Bible another chance. I know, you have heard all the stories in Sunday School and listened to enough sermons to last you a lifetime, but have you ever taken the time to let the Bible speak to you in quietness? Straight from the recorded pages of God’s Word for our lives in this hectic world. This period of inactivity may just be the best time to open the sacred pages and immerse yourself in the wisdom, enlightenment, encouragement, and yes even some much needed correction thrown in. Are you ready for that challenge if that period of inactivity strikes? In fact, there is no better time for God’s Word than right now!

I study your teachings very carefully so that I will not sin against you. 

Psalm 119:11 ERV

Read This First

Buy a new piece of electronics kit or a flatpack piece of furniture, and there it is. A slip of paper with the words “Read This First”, so what do most of us do? We carefully set it aside in the sure and certain knowledge that it will not be needed, and common sense will see us through. Off we go, and we start well. The pieces fit nicely and we become smug that we knew all along that we were up to this simple DIY job. Almost there so time for a cuppa.

Then the inconceivable happens. The next part doesn’t fit properly, or we discover that the order of assembly is very important because otherwise an essential piece will just not fit, no matter how much we push, pull and wiggle. Maybe next time, we will read the instructions, but for this occasion it’s too late.

Why then do we treat our instruction for life as a second thought? The Bible has stood the test of time, and over centuries has shown the best way to fit the essential pieces of life together. In spite of a 100% positive track record, we still think we know better, and common sense will get us through. Then we are horrified when one of the pieces doesn’t fit. This can happen at a critical time, like illness, poverty, divorce, or even the death of a loved one. We can’t blame the Bible instruction if we haven’t used it, and only a fool would ignore it from that time on. I would suggest that the really wise will use the Bible as a “Read This First” instruction, and so avoid the shocks of life as they come. And make no mistake, those ill fitting pieces will come!

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16,17