Sputtering and gasping for air, I reached out to grab hold of the pool’s edge. When does muscle memory kick in?

I’d heard muscle memory allows us to rebuild lost muscles with less effort than it took to create them. Good news for me! If true, the swimming muscles I built in my past can help me now. 

Admittedly, it has been years ~ decades really~ since I regularly swam laps. Maybe muscle memory can’t go that far back?

More good news: a recent study indicates muscle memory can last up to fifteen years, and maybe even permanently. 

Still, as I struggled to find my rhythm that first day in the water, I wondered if I could regain what I’d lost. 

As I pushed through, a Scripture I memorized long ago popped into my thoughts:

 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8 NIV)

In the Ancient Greek and Roman cultures, people highly esteemed physical training. While not negating the benefit of physical exercise, Paul reminded Timothy, and all of us, to focus more on Spiritual training. It will prepare us for this life, and the one to come.

This Scripture helped me realize I had not only neglected physical exercise, but also some of the seven Spiritual disciplines:

• Bible Study
• Prayer
• Fasting
• Communion/Fellowship 
• Giving
• Silence (Meditation)
• Rest

Not surprisingly, the ones I’ve neglected are the ones I find most challenging: silence (meditation) and rest. 

Naturally goal-focused and driven, slowing down to meditate and rest feels counterproductive. But in reality, meditation and rest allow me to hear God’s voice in ways my busyness can’t. 

I’m learning both physical and spiritual training require discipline and consistent practice. In less than one week, my swimming rhythm came back and another aspect of muscle memory came into play. 

When we learn a new skill, like riding a bike or a certain swim stroke, our brains create a neurological pathway to the necessary muscles. Over time, our brain engages these pathways automatically. We no longer have to consciously think about how to ride the bike or execute the swim stroke. 

As my swimming strokes became more rote, my mind felt free to reflect on the ways God has been interacting in my life. As I flexed my swimming muscles, I began to strengthen my meditation muscles. 

I love how God has doubly blessed my decision to honor Him by pursuing healthy choices. 

As I continue to follow the road less traveled, I pray my physical and spiritual training honors the One who guides me. Wherever the road takes you, I pray you can do the same.