SPIRITUAL FITNESS

Ephesians 6:10—Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

Okay, I admit it. There are days I just don’t feel like working out. However, if I want to have good muscle tone, a healthy heart and a strong body I have to exercise. Physical fitness doesn’t just happen. It takes consistent work. We all know what occurs when we don’t exercise regularly. One workout (jogging, weight-lifting, aerobics class) per week, will not make me physically fit! Unfortunately, it’s be fit or be fat.

Isn’t it just a little bit ludicrous to think we can stay in shape spiritually by working our spiritual muscles only on Sunday mornings? To be spiritually fit, we must be in the Lord and in His mighty power. He is the Coach! If we want to be strong we have to hang with Him. He’s given us a spiritual circuit plan for spiritual growth: time in prayer, time in the Bible and time in fellowship. Spiritual workouts are generally private—just me and God. But to increase my strength capacity lifting weights, I need a spotter. (It’s not good to have barbells hanging over your chest and not be able to lift them!). In the same way, we need fellowship. Other Christians can lift weights we are trapped underneath, provide insight for improving worship, and offer gifting and encouragement we need to keep at it.

On those days I don’t feel like exercising, my workout partner, Bill, challenges me to get after it. Muscles and sniveling are mutually exclusive! Who’s challenging you? Are you spiritually fit? If not, will you allow me to say, “Get after it! Be strong in the Lord. Quit sniveling or procrastinating! The awesome God of the Universe has given you an unlimited supply of divine appointments. What would keep you from worshiping Him?”

Inspiration
The private relationship of worshipping God is the great essential of fitness.—Oswald Chambers in My Utmost For His Highest