APRIL 19-25, 2017 UCW 7
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM
It was a rather scathing question:
"How did you feel when you were at
your peak fitness?"
I twitched a bit, and then
responded, "Great." The truth is I did
feel great. But that was a long time
ago, in a galaxy far, far away.
In middle school and high school, I
was quite the athlete. I wrestled 135-
lbs and played football. At that time
in my life, it was nothing to run five
miles and lift weights four to five days
a week. Even in college, I lifted and
played basketball four days a week.
At the peak of my fitness, I felt
great. I even looked great … at least
for me. Then life happened. I got a
full-time job. I went on to graduate
school. Got married and had four
kids. The list goes on. Quickly, the
gym routine fell from its place
of priority in my life.
A few years ago, I started going to the gym again. I started re-shaping this
tired, old body into a picture of fitness (or at least that's the goal). At first it was
slow. But now I'm making real strides: I ran the Rock-and-Roll Marathon last
week in Raleigh!
Our physical fitness is a great analogy of our spiritual fitness.
Do you remember back when you were really on fire for Jesus? When you
read the Bible regularly? When you were consistent in your quiet times,
prayers, church attendance?
Let me ask you a question. How did you
feel when you were at your peak fitness
… spiritually?
I know my answer. "Great!"
But then life gets in the way. We start
off with great strides. We're studying,
praying, reading, soaking it all in. Then
life gets in the way. We miss a workout,
then two, then a week and so on.
Consider the words of Paul in 1
Corinthians 9:24-27: "Do you not know
that those who run in a race all run, but
only one receives the prize? Run in such
a way that you may win. … I run in such
a way, as not without aim; I box in such a
way, as not beating the air; but I discipline
my body and make it my slave, so that,
after I have preached to others, I myself
will not be disqualified."
With all the hype on physical fitness,
shouldn't we give at least equal priority
to our spiritual fitness? Some dedicate
hours a week to the local gym … yet minutes (if that) to their spiritual wellness.
Spend some time wrestling over God's word. Sweat over your prayer list.
Endure the process of becoming a follower of Christ. Let's get back to our
spiritual gym. Why not get a workout in today?
For help, consider taking the tuition-free "How to Study the
Bible" class at Carolina College of
Biblical Studies. Consider us your
spiritual fitness trainer.
BIBLICALLY SPEAKING
Back to the Gym
by DR. CHRIS DICKERSON
"How did you feel when you were at your peak fitness … spiritually?"
DR. CHRIS DICKERSON, Carolina Bible
College. COMMENTS? news@upandcomin-
gweekly.com. 910.484.6200.