Laziness of "mind"

My last blog was when? January 8th? Wow-where have I been? Out to lunch? Daydreaming? Just taking it easy? Could it be a case of "writer's block", blank page stare, pencil paranoia? I'd like to think God was simply being silent since I wait on His leading for topics and information to share. Has He been off my radar? Definitely not. In fact He has given me several "ideas" but I have not "run with the ball" He has dribbled my way. Why? I was pondering that while walking this afternoon and actually the answer was not what I wanted to hear. It is laziness of mind. Now I would not categorize myself as lazy. I cook, clean, exercise, read, volunteer, socialize, and participate in any number of activities. Yet do I really THINK? Do I honestly challenge my mind regularly? Unfortunately that answer is a resounding NO. In retirement it is easy to coast mentally. I simply pick up a Charles Martin novel and I'm happily floating in another world. Some would say that is deserved at this stage in life. But recent medical studies have come out with the stats on the relationship between stimulating your mind and staying mentally healthy longer. OK. That should be reason enough to do crossword puzzles, play free cell, engage in cards or other stradegy thinking games. I do participate in game nights and enjoy them but writing these blogs best challenges me to dig deep in my mind, sifting out thoughts and words and weighing what is most relevant at the moment to share as God nudges me. He has spoken to me about such topics as "Our Identity in LIfe" and "The value of true friends". Maybe there will be a time I wax eloquent on these subjects but today I just want to challenge each of you to seek out your area of "laziness". See it for what it is, name it and face it and decide to do something about it. If it's cleaning, pick up a dust cloth; if it's cooking, open a recipe book; if like me your mind needs some stimulation, try a crossword or face a blank page and write on it! I am already feeling energized! God knows best when he encourages us, through the words of Paul, (even in retirement), to be self-disciplined and keep running the race of life.

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." 

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Let's all determine to run hard so that "in the end" there will be no evidence of laziness, even throughout the last years of life, but rather roads lined with trees of productivity under which our grandchildren can be refreshed!