Fit?

There’s a pandemic quietly spreading through the Kingdom that I’ve been noticing for quite some time. And no, it’s not the hantavirus, but rather an unhealthy fixation on physical health.

There’s nothing wrong with being a good steward of the vessel we’ve been entrusted with. I’d even argue that faithful stewardship is better than a life where physical health remains yearly wishful thinking.

But the pandemic I’m speaking of applies to the former, not the latter.

Though there has been a huge increase in physically fit brethren, many remain spiritually dull. Stewarding the vessel is commendable, but we must remember: the vessel was still called to service.

Roughly speaking, depending on your BMI and your specific health prognosis, a few consistent months of muscle strength training should lead to an increase in muscle mass and eventually muscle definition.

Just a few months.

Yet my question remains: what is the point of built bodies bowing like a wimp before the enemy? Pitbulls in the physical realm, but golden retrievers in spiritual arenas.

When I speak to my friends who are gym junkies, certain key sentences resonate with me:

• I didn’t go to the gym yesterday, so I have to make up for it, or I’ll lose my progress.

• I need to adjust my diet accordingly, as I’m trying to gain muscle mass.

• I have been targeting that part of my body because I’m focusing on this type of gain.

• I have a pre-workout and post-workout regimen.

Make no mistake, this wasn’t just empty talk. Every single person I had those conversations with had seen the clear payoff of their discipline — it was evident in their results.

Those who wanted bigger muscles, toned bodies, tighter behinds have reached, or are in the process of reaching, said goal. And over and over, the grind continues for tighter, leaner, stronger bodies — always pushing themselves to a new level.

And that is admirable. Yet I can’t help but wonder what would happen if that same unshakable mindset were applied to the spiritual aspect of life. If the people of God would carry such a resolute pursuit of the things of the Kingdom, and truly set their hearts in heavenly places.

A world where the conversations around me would be:

• I didn’t read my Bible today. I need to make up for it because I don’t want to miss where God is taking me.

• I need to adjust my prayer life for my sake and that of those around me.

• I have been targeting that specific spiritual wickedness because I’ve seen it raise its head in the lives of those around me.

• I have a morning, afternoon, and night routine with the Lord.

Just like physical gains are seen, so is spiritual consistency. A vessel equipped for service doesn’t just influence the room they enter; it shifts the entire atmosphere.

Gym rats know where to go to work out. They know where to find the needed workout equipment and trainers if need be. Because they know that the environment is built for growth. They show up with consistency and intention.

Likewise, the church is where faith is trained. The brethren are there, the pastors are there, the atmosphere is there, and above all, the presence of God is there. The environment is built for spiritual growth.

Yet we treat the house of God with lightness, while being far more consistent, intentional, and structured with the gym.

This is not a stretch. While on vacation, people are often more likely to look for a nearby pilates session than a church service.

God won’t be offended if we miss one Sunday service, one might argue. But waking up at the crack of dawn to hit the hotel gym remains a no-brainer.

We panic over losing physical progress while remaining unbothered by spiritual decay.

Yet this earth will pass away, and so will the body we spend so much time perfecting.

So perhaps the question isn’t whether we are able to be disciplined people. Perhaps the real question is: what are we disciplining ourselves for?

Let us fix our minds again on the things of the Spirit, and may we become just as intentional about building spiritual strength as we are about building physical bodies.

I leave you with this piece of scripture: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). 

Is your heart with Christ? Take your time before you answer 🙂

In just a few months, those around you should be able to tell.

XOXO