Dear Friends:
Millions of Americans have joined the Fitbit® craze. Just in case you’re not into the latest tech-gadgets, let me explain what a Fitbit® is. A Fitbit® is a pendant-size or wristwatch-size device that monitors your physical activity and motivates you to do more. Fitbit® fans establish goals for the number of hours they sleep, the number of steps they take, and the number of calories they burn. It is not unusual to see a Fitbit® fan jogging in front of the television set, refusing to go to bed until they reach their 10,000 step goal. One “Fitbit® aficionado” we know even jokingly asked a friend to wear her Fitbit®, explaining that she was running behind her step goal and needed help catching up.
I’m teasing about people who wear Fitbits. One of the essential elements in any fitness program is keeping track of your progress. In fact, the Apostle Paul probably would have owned a First Century “Fitus-Bitus” if such a device had been available. “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.” Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:27a (NLT) “
Of course, the Apostle placed a much higher priority on measuring spiritual fitness. “Athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step.” 1 Corinthians 9:25-26a.
How can we keep track of our spiritual fitness? Is there a metaphorical “Spiritual Fitbit®” we can rely on to help us measure the steps we take towards God each day? Actually there is; it’s our Bible. My Grandma Alice was a devoted Christian. I can’t count how many times I would visit and find her sitting in her lounge chair carefully reading her King James Version of the Bible. The pages were dog-eared, and so many passages were highlighted that you figured you might as well read the whole page. She took Psalm 119:105 seriously. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Grandma Alice’s Bible showed that her favorite exercise was spiritual jogging.
By contrast, we can be like the “fitbit® aficionado” referenced above who thought someone else could get her steps for her. Our “Spiritual Fitbit®” — our Bible — won’t do us any good unless we make it part of our daily routine. If our only exposure to the Word is on Sunday, our spiritual fitness program needs a tune-up.
Know your Coach: An indispensable first step in a spiritual tune-up is to make sure you have the right Fitness Coach —Jesus. “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.” Romans 3:22 (NLT)
Set your goals: Next we need to make sure we have set the right spiritual goals. King David wrote in 1 Chronicles 16:11, “Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.” In Psalm 25:4-5 he wrote, “Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. If we are going to seek Him, shouldn’t we rely on the one Book that will show us how to find Him?
Build a team: “Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.” Proverbs 15:22.
Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Proverbs 18:20 (NIV)
The above Scriptures remind us that a support team can help us move toward improved spiritual fitness. Joining a small group or participating in a Bible study can put you in contact with others who are taking important steps towards God.
Set aside time: In the first verse of Ecclesiastes we are reminded, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” It is also important to set aside specific times to work on our spiritual health. One couple we know has a period of devotions each morning and prayers of thanksgiving at bedtime. King David wrote, “It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening.”
Add resources: When you’re ready to kick your spiritual workout into high gear, there is a plethora of resources you can tap into:
- Today most churches have sermon archives and/or small group studies on their websites.
- Christian Bookstores offer a wide variety of devotionals such as Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost for His Highest, Max Lucado’s Grace for the Moment, and Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling.
- Study Bibles, Reading Plans, and Commentaries can help you gain a deeper understanding of what you read in the Scriptures.
- If you have access to the internet, there are two free resources you may want to check out: https://www.blueletterbible.org/ and https://www.biblegateway.com.
- Our personal favorite resource is Biblegateway which allows us to search 54 different English translations of the Bible.
- There are audio versions of the Bible that you can play on your Iphone or Mp3 player as you work out.
- This Fall the Museum of the Bible is scheduled to open in Washington, D.C. https://www.museumofthebible.org/
- Perhaps you would like to share with others steps you are taking that bring you closer to God. We encourage you to leave a comment at www.becausewelovehim.org
Scripture for the Week: Psalm 37:23 “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”
Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ
Because He Loves Us Press 