I went to the doctor yesterday for a problem with my elbow. It seems that my elbow has gotten sorer over the past several years. While it really did not limit me much at first, it has gotten progressively more irritating. It is now to the point that I cannot straighten out the elbow to its full extension. The doctor I saw told me that I will never get the mobility back because my body has adjusted to the lack of extension and has made adjustments that now prevent it from being used as it was intended.
As I reflected on this, I thought about how this is analogous of many other parts of life as well. When we are dating, we communicate ad nauseam with our intended. We talk about anything and everything just to be together, learn about each other and because we enjoy the sound of each other’s voices. If we are not careful, over time, we stop communicating at this level and, twenty years later, we find ourselves in need of counseling because we just cannot communicate anymore. We did not use it, so we lost it.
Sharing our faith also works this way. Chances are, when you first became a believer, you were so excited about your new life in Christ that you wanted to tell everyone you met. Over time, you began to become worried about offending people, what they would think of you, etc. Now, you cannot remember the last time you shared your faith and to even think about doing so causes your adrenaline to start flowing because you are afraid. You did not use it, so you lost it.
This can also be the case when it comes to attending church. As a kid, you went all the time because you were drug to church. You went a little bit right out of high school, but then you fell away. Now, you sometimes think about attending church, but cannot get out of bed to do so. You did not use it, so you lost it.
The list could go on and on. You used to exercise, but now huff and puff up the stairs. You used to lift weights, but now a push up would be a challenge. You used to watch your weight, now you watch your waist. You used to read regularly, now you do not have time because you have the tv, internet, phone, and sleep to use the time. You did not use it, so you lost it.
Unlike my elbow, everything listed above is recoverable. How do you recover that which you have lost? First, you ask God to help you find it. Second, you begin to do it again. At first, it will seem awkward and even make a little uncomfortable or sore, but you need to push through the discomfort and continue. Lastly, you must make it a regular part of your life again and make sure that it remains the priority you want it to be. Who knows, maybe I will get to use my elbow, I can communicate with my wife better, I will be more consistent with sharing my faith, and I might lose some weight and keep it off.
What did you used to have, but lost it due to non-use? What will you do about it?