Press And Release

As you can tell by my svelte build, I'm more than a little familiar with lifting weights. :-) Though I haven't lifted for many years, I do remember it fondly and one lesson that I've been thinking about lately is the value of press and release.

Muscles are built by pressing them to the point that they begin to tear and then releasing giving blood and amino acids enough time to repair and build up the tears. Muscles can't be built up through constant pressing. There has to be time of release as well, and vice versa.

The same is true of spiritual growth and many other disciplines of life. In our society we press in the fall through Christmas then release for Christmas break. Then press again in the spring till Summer, and release again. That schedule helps us manage life and grow stronger. As spiritual beings we must understand this principle and make sure we are managing our self through seasons of pressing and seasons of release. It's why our church takes the approach to small groups that we do. In the Fall and Spring we do curriculum/learning groups, and in the summer we release with interest-based groups.

I'm looking forward to the release. I've got a few ends to tie up on some ministry obligations and then I look forward to cross-training. This summer while I get to rest from the rigor of some ministries we get to press in Outreach through Screen On The Green and God In The Great Outdoors. It'll be nice to press there and release in other areas.

What do you need to start releasing right now, and in what do you need to start pressing?

--Ben