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"Voluntary Workouts"

Football is a tough sport and a big commitment for players. They must keep their bodies in shape, endure continuous hits, study in-depth playbooks, and diligently practice during the offseason.

As part of an agreement between the players and the owners, players aren’t required to participate in certain activities following the season because they’re considered “voluntary workouts.”

Although players have the freedom to show up or not, many decide to participate in establishing team chemistry, improving their skills, growing as players, spending time with coaches, and demonstrating their team commitment. Players who choose to pass miss out on the help available to them during the offseason.

When it comes to following Jesus, we have freedom because of God’s grace and the gift of salvation. As members of God’s team through faith, He invites us to participate in “voluntary workouts” that aren’t mandatory to keep our salvation and eternal life with Him but are made available to know Him better, become more like Him, grow our faith, establish team chemistry, and demonstrate our commitment to Him.

We can consider “voluntary workouts” (spiritual disciplines) as fellowship with other believers, corporate worship, serving at church, praying, reading God’s Word, and fasting. They are growth opportunities and dedicated time with our Coach even though we choose whether or not to take full advantage.

When an NFL player loves football, he does whatever he can to be part of the sport and is involved in practice so he can enhance his game. Likewise, when we love God and desire to follow Jesus, we will want to do what will enhance our faith.

Paul shares this encouragement in Philippians 2:12: “…continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]."

Today, let’s voluntarily work out our salvation by relying on the Lord, pursuing Him, serving Him, representing Him, and practicing the spiritual disciplines He invites us to participate in freely.

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for saving me and giving me new life. I pray I’d willingly seek You and participate in everything You have available for me to grow and know You better. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.