Pressed Down

Pressed down, packed in, heaped up to over-flowing. That’s how Jesus described what we will receive when we give. (Luke 6:38) This is radical giving: it’s giving without a thought of getting anything in return; lending and knowing the borrower won’t ever pay you back; doing a favor and not keeping track of whether your friend does one for you; hugging and feeling only the stiff coolness of the person unable to appreciate or return your sign of love. This is the extreme love that Jesus taught. It sets Jesus’ followers apart from mere customs and good manners. After all, Jesus said, “even sinners love those who love them.” (Luke 6:32) Loving the un-loveable, lending to the very poor, and having compassion is the giving that Jesus was talking about. Believers who call Jesus “Lord” love that way, showing that they are “sons of the Most High.” (Luke 6:35) They are displaying the character of God.

“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure – pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return,” Jesus stated in Luke 6:38. But Jesus already said in verses 30 and 35 that we’re not to expect anything in return when we give. So our “standard of measure” perhaps would not be the number of bags of groceries or clothing donated, how many hours you volunteer, the number of rides given, or the size of a check. What if we look at what we have already received from God and make these our “standard of measure”: mercy, faith, love, compassion, hope, blessings, eternal life? These could be our unit of measure when we give to others. God spared nothing for us. He even gave His Son, Jesus, for the forgiveness of our sins. “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32) There isn’t even a way to measure all that God has given to us.

So when we give, we don’t use a worldly measuring cup, but an eternal one. Mercy, compassion, forgiveness, love. These are given to us by God in infinite supply, heaped up, pressed down, overflowing (verse 38), hoping, bearing, believing, and enduring all things. (1 Corinthians 13:7) Think of these heavenly standards of measure as we get closer to Easter, when God showed His immense love to us in the giving of His Son, Jesus.

Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure – pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return. Luke 6:38

Now, let’s think about “pressing down…”

Last week we learned the “Incline” (Click here to review.) and this week we will again be lying on the floor, with the emphasis on “pressing down” the muscles in your midsection. This is a very safe way to strengthen the abdominals because it does not require flexing your spine. (Do check with your physician whenever you start an exercise program or if you have questions about whether an exercise is appropriate for you.)

Lie on a mat or carpet with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor directly below your knees. (You may place your feet a little farther out if it is difficult to bend your knees to that angle.) Your legs should be hip-width apart and your knees should point toward the ceiling. Rest your arms on the floor at your sides. Take a couple of breaths and pull your shoulders downward, away from your ears.

Now pull your navel downward into the mat. Press your spine (including the small of your back) into the mat as well, as if you were lying on moist sand (Pretend it is low tide.) and want to make an imprint of your body in the sand. The rest of your body does not move. Exhale as you press down and pull your navel in, activating your abdominal muscles and flattening your belly. Hold this for five seconds and then release. You may repeat a couple more times when first starting and build up to ten or 12 “reps.” Remember to keep your shoulders relaxed and your knees pointing toward the ceiling.

The second part will add some challenge. This time, while you are pressing down with your abdominals and spine, lift one foot (keeping the knee bent) just one inch from the floor and let it hover there while you count to five. (See the photo.) Then slowly lower that foot and repeat with the other one. This does not appear to be difficult, but if you hold your navel in and press your spine into the floor, you will definitely feel your abdominals working!

This one may be done every day, but at least three times per week. For variety, do it before or after the Incline (Click here to review from last week.) You may also do a Pelvic Floor Exercise or “Kegel” while pressing down.

This is another simple exercise that can be done anywhere (including the beach!) and does wonders for strengthening your core. This will improve your length and strength!