Lord, did You hear the testimony of Ernestine Shepherd. At age 74, she holds the Guinness Book of World’s Records for the world’s oldest body builder. She has a body that a 20-year-old would kill for. Wow! Lord, did You do that for her?
(She worked at it, My child. I did not snap My fingers and sculpture her body. She worked at it.)
Lord, are You saying that I don’t try hard enough?
(My child, what are you doing now to improve your body?)
Well Lord, let’s see . . .I am trying to cut back on my eating.
(Yes, I see that, but what about the extra sweets that you are slipping in?)
Lord, I don’t want to give up my sweets. I love them!
(Do you love Me?)
Yes Lord, You know I do!
(Love Me, My child, more than your sweets. You don’t have to give them up totally for I created all things that are good. But, My child, surrender your will to Me, be willing to surrender these sweets and only partake as I instruct you. Right now, you are eating smaller amounts but you are still holding on to the sweets. Be willing to let go. Fast the sweets for a while as an act of submission in worship. Then you will see what I will do in your life, as you surrender control to Me. The scales that you are struggling with will show evidence of your surrender.
Also, My child, that 74-year-old woman runs 10 miles a day. Remember how hard it was for you to go up a flight of stairs yesterday?)
Yes Lord, I was so embarrassed because I was so slow and it was so obvious to the young girls behind me that I was struggling.
(My child, it is true that “if you don’t use it, you will lose it”. Move those muscles that I created for you. Start walking.)
Oh Lord, I hate walking! I hate exercising!
(Would you rather not walk?)
Oh no, Lord, that is not what I meant!
(Okay, My child, use the gift that I have given you, your muscles! Walk!)
Oh Lord, do I have to?
(No, My child, you don’t have to. You can choose to get physically weaker and weaker.)
Okay, okay, I will walk, but I’m not happy about it! I don’t feel like it!
(My child, My child, don’t go by your feelings, go by what needs to be done.) I sense that He is shaking His head at me.
(As you walk, pray. I enjoy walking with My children. Walk with Me. Pray for your neighbors.Pray for the needs of others. I will go with you . We will enjoy these walks together. You will see. I love you , My child.)
I love You , My Lord! Help me do this! Ahhhhhh!
Later: I just finished walking for 30 minutes. My body is screaming. My feet are killing me, but I did what You told me to, Lord!
(I sense that He is laughing at me and that makes me smile!)
Lord, help me spend the rest of my life “walking” with you!
Deuteronomy 5:33 NKJV: You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.
Isaiah 30:21 NKJV: Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.
Micah 6:8 NKJV: . . .And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
