Beyond: Living UnshakableSample

A third essential to establishing an unshakable life, is allowing time to move our bodies. Scripture regarding physical activity is limited. The most specific verse is found in 1 Timothy 4:8 and states, “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”

I propose there are three sides to approaching physical fitness. On one side there is the propensity to read this scripture and conclude, “I don’t need to exercise, it doesn’t do much good for my spiritual walk”. On the other side we may read this verse and conclude, “See, exercise is good!”, only to turn around and face plant into a “wall” because we push too hard and exclude God from our ambitions. The third side is a fine line we walk with the Lord in, in order to prioritize exercise to live healthy, but keep our hearts centered on God. We then trust our bodies to be transformed from the inside out and to exude Jesus.

John prays we be “...healthy in body as you are strong in spirit”. Health is defined as: The state of being free from illness or injury; a person's mental or physical condition. You likely know physical exercise will enhance your overall health, both mental and physical. The goal is to discover God’s fitness regimen for our life. Then, trust Holy Spirit to cause us to walk, run, jog or sprint in His prescription, without dragging our tail; procrastination carries with it potential to compromise our overall physical and mental health. We can also trust Holy Spirit to throttle the drive to do too much, whilst leaving Jesus in the dust.

Today, sit with the Lord and allow Him to search your heart for a moment. Be encouraged to ask:

Lord, do I need to get off my tail and get moving? If so, will You show me Your way?

Lord, has fitness become an idol? Do I need to appropriately prioritize movement, but keep moving?

Father, how might I incorporate fitness into my life that honors and radiates Jesus, while enhancing the overall health and longevity of the vessel Holy Spirit dwells within?

With God’s grace and Holy Spirit leading, resolve to grow beyond comfort zones and live unshakable by determining to be more intentional about moving your body in a way that will bring honor to Jesus.

Prayer: Father, thank You for shaping and forming me. Thank You for living within me and causing me to live, breath and move. Father, I submit the area of physical fitness to You. I ask You to lead and guide me to seek both godliness and physical health, not forsaking the latter because the former seems superior. Lord, search my heart and help me see where I may be dragging my feet, or where fitness may be an idol in my life. Lord, I desire You be the center of my life. I also desire Your Spirit live in a healthy vessel and home. I trust You to move me to align fitness with Your will and heart for my life. In the Name of Jesus I pray, amen.