THE Book of Sirach offers a striking image: “God placed before you fire and water; stretch out your hand for whichever you choose.”
Every day, we stand before these two symbols.
Fire represents the choices that burn us – anger, selfishness, pride, and the easy paths that weaken our character.
Water represents the choices that nourish us – patience, love, forgiveness, and the steady discipline that leads to growth.
Our lives are shaped not by chance but by the choices we make.
A young man once told me proudly, “I spend hours in the gym. I’ve built strong muscles.”
Yet when life confronted him with hardship, he felt powerless.
His body was strong, but his spirit was fragile.
Another man, 80 years old, shared a different story.
His body is weak, but he goes to church every day.
“I am spiritually strong,” he said. “I can face my challenges with peace.”
This is the difference between external strength and spiritual strength.
Physical muscles help us lift weights, but spiritual muscles help us lift life.
Spiritual strength grows through daily choices: choosing patience over anger, love over hatred, hard work over laziness, forgiveness over resentment.
These choices build resilience, courage, and inner peace.
The Church is our spiritual gym. Here, through prayer, Scripture, and the sacraments, we train our hearts to choose water over fire – life over destruction.
God sets both before us. The choice, every day, is ours.
By Fr Tomi Alexander
