Fitness Goals for Christians

[Ramez5]

Avoid godless myths and old wives tales. Train yourself toward godliness (piety) instead (keeping yourself spiritually fit). For physical training is of some value (useful for a little) but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way..

For it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come. This saying is reliable and worthy of complete acceptance by everybody. I Timothy 4:7b-8


Today's Reading Psalm 147 , Numbers 33:1-49, Joel 2:1-17, I Timothy 4

The above verse is so applicable to today's modern culture! Every where you look people are focusing on getting fit. Sometimes, when I see the Sunday joggers and bikers, I wonder.. if perhaps some of them are getting too consumed. What do you think?

I do want to add one disclaimer here. I so admire the discipline of my church friends who bike, jog, and even train. Our family spent a whole day just cheering on the runners, including a friend's son, at the Iron man triatholon. What an accomplishment!

Really I was mostly thinking of those people who skip church on a regular basis to pursue fitness. That's quite another thing altogether.

I am one of the crowd who cares about fitness but only to a limited degree. Honestly, I must admit that I really dislike exercise. If it's not a lot of fun, I find it hard to do and boring. Still, I do what I can by hooping, walking, and square dancing. A friend is even going to possibly help me work up a fitness plan.. and I'll gather my courage and put in an appearance at our apartment's fitness room.

But unlike most of our current culture, I am not overly focused on fitness. Eating right--yes. Diet? At my age, yes. I want my outside to match my happy inside. The Lord has done so much to fill me with joy.. and is teaching me self-discipline. It's only a matter of time before my appearance will show the results.We have been challenged to focus on our inward spiritual condition, NOT on the outward physical one.

Self-control is a fruit of the spirit. It's meant to be a by-product of our spiritual state not the goal.

As beneficial as it is to exercise and diet, and take good care of this body the Lord has blessed us with, there is no comparison to the critical need to truly hone in on and be meticulous about our spiritual state.

Get fit spiritually.. and you'll find it much easier to get fit physically.

That’s really the whole point of our daily reading.. meditating and sharing.. to TRAIN ourselves to think spiritually.. to get spiritually fit

When we do.. we start to change our mental ‘taste buds’.. to the things of The Lord rather than to earthly tastes. We become spiritually stronger.

Sinful temptations are easier to overcome. Self-discipline becomes much easier! Our love for God and each other blossoms. Our hearts and minds become more attuned to Him. Thoughts of depression or boredom subside. We start to think God's way, not Man's way. The benefits are countless!

Reading, praying, study, meditation, and even fasting--all are so many exercises to make us ‘fit’ both here for God’s work and there for Heaven. What a great passage!

1128 /gymnázō ("exert intensely, like a pro-athlete") presumes full discipline, necessary to be in "top working condition" (full agility, skill, endurance). This is gained only from constant, rigorous training (exercise). 1128 (gymnázō) conveys acquiring proficiency through practice – regular exercise with graduated resistance (the physical element is also included with the spiritual of being in "God's gymnasium").

God is reminding me, today, to stay focused and not let the multitude of distractions draw me away from what he is doing in me this last few months. I am working hard to eat healthy, get moving, and avoid harmful foods and other things. But I am working much much harder.. to follow after Christ and to learn from him.

Dear Lord, Help us to surrender to you--our spiritual coach--to get us 'fit' for the kingdom. Help us to feed on your word, free ourselves from the sin that so easily entangles us, and run the race you have set before us like a well trained athlete. Help us to not grow weary or faint.. by resting in you.

In your Dear name we pray,
Amen