People hear about a new product that “Promotes weight loss” and they immediately run to the store to purchase it. They think “This is it, this will help me lose the weight I’ve been trying for so long to lose.” Without thinking of the damage it could do to their bodies or other alternatives, they take on this new idea of losing weight.
But when the idea of promoting spiritual growth comes up, no one moves. We sit back and think “Hmm, I’ll let so and so try that first.” Or “My spiritual life is fine, what do I need to waste my time on things that say they can help it for?”
Friend, your spiritual life is much more important than the pounds you’re trying to lose or the hair color you’re trying to have. It has a bigger affect on your life because it is your eternal life. If you are into making your body look better, don’t you think you should have an equally in shape spirit? God thinks so.
In no way am I saying that physical fitness is not important because it is. We are told in scripture that our bodies are temples, and that we are to treat them as such. This means we should eat right and exercise to be sure that we stay healthy and in shape, but our spiritual lives are equally as important.
Your Bible is the guide to spiritual growth. It has all the instructions and plans in it to help you be the best you can be. It doesn’t cost monthly, and you don’t have to join some club to make it work. All you have to do is read it and pray to God for wisdom. But just like a diet or weight loss plan, you have to do it faithfully for it to work.
If we were as enthusiastic about spiritually growing and becoming closer to God, as we are to chasing fads and false hopes, we would have a very fit and trim life. We wouldn’t be so intent on physically becoming perfect, but instead we would be committed to our Father, and to focusing on our destiny in heaven with him.
Reflect
1. Do you exercise your spirit as much as you do your physical body?
2. Why do you think people are quicker to try weight loss and other fads than spiritual growth plans like reading the Bible and committing to a church?
3. Come up with a spiritual growth plan for yourself and be sure to stick to it.
4. What can you do to be sure you’re keeping your spirit in check as well as your physical body?
Pray with me
Dear Father, thank you that we have the Bible and an open communication line to you. I pray that I would exercise every method possible to help my spirit and faith grow. Please help me to focus on you and your kingdom instead of the worldly fads that don’t really work. I pray that as I keep my spiritual life fit, that I would also work to keep my body in shape. Please help me to remember that it is a temple, and that I need to take good care of it so that I can serve you to the best of my ability.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
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