Jesus loved to tell stories, based on everyday situations; stories which could be appreciated on a number of different levels - depending on how deep the listener was prepared to dig. And it wasn't just Jesus - there are other examples in the New Testament where the everyday has been taken to teach about something deeper.
I enjoy running, and try to run 4 times a week, totalling about 30 miles a week. Although not always the case - it is certainly true for the vast majority of runs - that when I get back I'm glad I went - I feel better for the experience.
But even so, come the next day, it can be a real act of the will to get out there again - it is easier to stay at home. At the moment the sun is shining and it is warm and sunny and a lot of my running can be done on grass - yet it can still be hard to motivate myself to actually get out of the door. Imagine what it's like in the winter when it's dark, and raining and just a few degrees one side or other of freezing.
But even in the winter, I still feel better for having been out for a run - but it takes even more effort not to stay in the warm and dry!
And once you miss a couple of days, it becomes harder and harder to get out there again.
In our walk as followers of Jesus there are disciplines that we know are good for us, and our experience is that we benefit every time we do them - but every single morning it seems like a battle of the will to actually 'put on the trainers and get out the front door'.
My experience from running is just get on and do it. You know it will be worth it in the end.
