Luke 14:28-31 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build, and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? [Revised Standard translation]
Biblical Comment
The Bible encourages all of us to plan ahead, to carefully evaluate our current situation; to identify the resources that we will need; to identify our strengths and weaknesses; and, in general, to consider the “costs” in implementing and completing our goals. The 14th chapter of Luke gives us two examples:
The first example is that of a person wanting to build a tower but who has not planned ahead or taken the necessary steps to complete the job. The vision was there. In fact, the vision was even lofty! This person does not want to build a mere house, but a tower! However, the execution was weak. Perhaps the person started building without a blueprint or underestimated the cost of the building materials, or he did not take into consideration the physical or psychological sacrifices that he or others would need to make to complete the task.
The second example given in Luke 14 is that of a king going to war. When kings went to war, the stakes were high. During Biblical times losing a war, would not only mean the end of the king’s reign but the destruction of a whole nation. Men were killed, women were widowed, children were orphaned and, once defeated, survivors were taken captive as slaves. Property, possessions and even religious freedoms were lost in times of war. Entering into war required careful consideration, counsel, and planning, because “everything” was at stake. For this reason, a wise king sought wise counsel from military experts, prophets, wise men and from GOD.
It always pays to consult GOD first.
Home Exercise Program
Because of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) many schools, colleges, universities, banks, churches, governments, employers, families, and individuals are trying to plan ahead. One of the measures that some planners are considering is requesting that people reduce their risk of exposure (either being exposed or exposing others) by avoiding crowds and working at home. If you plan to work at home, you may also want to consider a home exercise program. Here are a few simple exercises that you might consider incorporating into a home exercise program:
- Jump Rope – It was something many of us did as children. Jumping rope burns calories, elevates your heart rate, improves coordination, muscle elasticity, and brain function. After a short warmup, you can do 30-second interval jumps followed by 15-30 seconds of rest. You can jump with both feet landing together, one foot at a time or mixing it up.
- Climb Stairs – If you have stairs in your home, you can include them in your workout. You can set a time for walking up and down the stairs and just begin until your timer beeps. Start with just a few minutes (e.g. 5 minutes) and then lengthen the time as you get stronger. Set a regular pace. Put on some music if that helps your concentration and posture.
- Dance – Create a playlist or go to YouTube and find some dance music and just dance. Remember, no one is watching, so you can be the best dancer in the room! Dancing is a cardio workout. It can help lower your risk of high blood pressure and help with weight loss.
- Squats With Alternative Reaches – Stand with your feet hip-distance apart. Then squat down holding your hands straight in front of you, your chest high and not letting your knees past your toes. Lower your body as if you are sitting in a chair. Once you are in a squat position, move your hands to the right, then back to the center and rise up. For the next squat, move your hands to the left, then back to the center and rise up. Continue to alternate squatting and alternatively reaching until you have completed 10-15 squats. [A variation of this exercise is to actually put a chair behind you and squat into the chair. Or, put your back against a wall, with your feet about a foot hip-distance apart and a soft pillow behind your heels. Then slowly go down the wall until you reach a chair sitting position. If you cannot maintain the position long, just slide down and land on the pillow and start again.]
See: “Simple Home Workouts,” by Kara Mayer Robinson, https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/simple-home-workouts#2 and “6 Low-Impact Exercises as You Age, by Katherine Tweed, https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/low-impact-exercises-for-seniors#1.
Other simple exercises may include weight lifting, gardening (e.g. weeding, planting, etc.), walking around the block, sweeping or doing other chores- washing the car, cleaning, raking, washing down doors and walls, etc.
If you have a medical condition, consult your personal physician for a home exercise program suitable for you. Even if you don’t have a medical condition, you can consult your physician about an exercise program suitable for your age and needs.
At home, you can still partner up. Invite a neighbor, a friend or another family household member to join you and to help hold you accountable. Remember being at home, doesn’t mean you can’t exercise. Plan ahead!
Home Prayer Programs
Many of us grew up in ‘praying homes.” We knew that our mothers, grandmothers, fathers, aunts or other family members were praying. We knew that they were praying because they told us! If there was an important event, we were told “I’ll be praying for you” or “You’re in my prayers” or we simply saw them praying, reading their Bibles or talking to GOD. The family “prayers warriors” had well-used Bibles. These Bibles were visible in our homes. Many families had their own home resident “prayer warrior.” Some very fortunate families had more.
Many of us are still reaping the benefits of those prayers because those “prayer warriors” “planned ahead.” Many of those “prayer warriors” essentially prayed for children, teenagers, young adults or others before “they had enough sense to pray for themselves.” They prayed for the family. They were trying to build a strong tower.
Families still need “prayer warriors.” Churches still need people who will pray for the church family—for students, teens, young adults, older adults, the homeless, the nation, the world and in stressful times.
Pray and seek GOD’s counsel and direction now. Read your Bible. Perhaps GOD has called you to become the home “prayer warrior” for your family, church or a specific group GOD has placed on your heart. Exercise your home prayer muscles. Remember, there’s a lot you can do at home.
Staying home? Plan ahead! Tell someone you are praying for them! Tell GOD everything!
Exercise, pray, consult GOD and BE BLESSED!
