A new sign on the exercise room at the Center reads; “You can’t turn the clock back. But you certainly can wind it up!”

This, while not scriptural, agrees in part with 1 Cor 6:19-20 that says; “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who lives within you. You are not your own”. Further, it required reasons and results in 11 Timothy:3-17 ” So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work”.

Our wonderfully made bodies are a gift. “We are conformed to the likeness of His son and the temple of the Holy Spirit” John 2:19

How much vanity is there in looking young, having a “great body” or being admired for any of our physical characteristics? God considers it sinful if we yeild to vanity, I suppose that we could consider such a fixation a level of self respect; and, would that be a bad thing? I would prefer that it be counted as a worthy restoration process, and you might well “look good” to the Lord because we are focused upon (re)equipping ourselves to do the work he intended for us. If we look good elsewhere,so be it.

However we may be defined by mankind’s standards in their transient definitions of beauty and performance, we can only be measured by what we do with what we have. If we have, because of circumstances within our control, allowed ourselves to “wind down” mentally or physically, we “neglect not the gift that is in us”. We must re-engage.

The “clock” within us is not self winding to be restored with a flick of the fingers, but by continuous steps then maintained by daily winding. Is there a time when the body will not respond? Other than obvious irreversible health conditions, I think not. It is about our expectations and level of perseverance. The often quoted and questionable sage; Yogi Barra ( the baseball player) said, “It’s not over ’til it’s over.” What if we frustrate the desires of The Spirit within us to continue to encourage us to work within our utmost capabilites and fitness. Let’s not make it hard for Him.

It may take longer than an hour for an hours work; a fifteen minute walk may take thirty minutes; things we once lifted with one hand may now take both of them.

In history the finest temples in the world have crumbled, yet they have been brought back by dedication; the clock was never turned back in the process, but they have been brought back to serve, each in their own way, as a reminder to those who first called them unservicable shambles.

The Glory is in restoration… not release.