The Washington Put up lately ran an article titled “5 Important Workouts for Growing older Effectively.” It shortly zoomed to the highest of their “Most Learn” checklist. As a person in his sixties, I used to be one of many readers. The workout routines included push-ups, useless lifts, pull-ups, squats and calf raises.
I used to be clearly acquainted with all 5. They had been, happily, nicely inside my attain. For essentially the most half, they don’t require going to the health club or having particular tools. It was only a good reminder that these 5 are a very powerful for growing older nicely.
However what of the important workout routines for growing older nicely spiritually? And extra to the purpose, ending nicely? That means, these important practices and disciplines, investments and exercises that may assist make sure that you keep vibrant in religion and household, vocation and imaginative and prescient?
Think about these.
1. Prayer
The breath of non secular life is prayer. Bodily, we will stay 40 days with out meals and three days with out water, however solely seconds with out respiration. Spiritually, we will do no higher. A life with out prayer can’t be spiritually alive, it doesn’t matter what else could also be current. It’s, as Evelyn Underhill has written, “respiration the air of eternity.”
2. Scripture
The inspiration of the Christian thoughts is the Bible. It’s God’s revelation to us and imparts information that can’t be identified other than its revelation. The Bible alone is that which resides and lively, sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating even to divide soul and spirit, joints and marrow, judging the ideas and attitudes of the center (Hebrews 4:12).
3. Silence and Solitude
If we’re to stay like Jesus, we’ll hunt down silence and solitude. In Mark’s biography within the Bible, we’re instructed that it was the behavior of Jesus to rise early, whereas nonetheless darkish, and to hunt a solitary place to wish (Mk. 1). Luke’s biography notes that Jesus usually slipped away to be alone in order that He may pray (Lk. 5:16). Thomas Kelly talks of the necessity to enter the “recreating silences.”
4. Concern of God
There’s a lot that has been written about not fearing God. That is usually well-intentioned, as too many come earlier than Him cowering in worry, as a substitute of as little kids (Rom. 8). However the Bible speaks about an acceptable “worry” of God that’s much less mentioned, however simply as necessary to know. The phrase “worry of the Lord” is about respect for God, honor for God, having a wholesome and sound sense that He’s there and is to be taken under consideration. It’s taking God – His existence, His character, His nature – severely. The fireplace that warms can also be the fireplace that burns. The guardrails on our life ought to be cast out of a wholesome worry of God.
5. Gratitude
James reminds us that each good and excellent reward comes from the hand of God (Jas 1:17). I can consider few issues that may trigger somebody to age poorly than to repeatedly see the cup of your life as half-empty, versus half-full. The Psalms are stuffed with rejoinders to recollect God’s many items and to be grateful. This results in a lifetime of pleasure, which overflows from inside, versus mere happiness, which relies upon solely on exterior circumstances.
Deliver these 5 into your life and see for those who don’t age nicely.
And end nicely, too.
James Emery White
Sources
Gretchen Reynolds, “Specialists Say These 5 Workouts Are Key to Staying Wholesome and Growing older Higher,” The Washington Put up, January 7, 2026, learn on-line.
Evelyn Underhill, “Respiration the Air of Eternity,” Weavings.
Thomas Kelly, A Testomony of Devotion.
