By: Erlinda Mejia-Olson
1 TIMOTHY 4:8-9 ~ "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance."
I was very grateful for the opportunity that God has bestowed upon me—that I was able to do some physical fitness. Being in a new place made me felt like a total stranger—as I was trying to learn the unfamiliar routine ... more so that I was mindful of the things of God—both inwardly and outwardly ... moves that are pleasing to Him ... that are appropriate for a woman who professes Godliness in Christ Jesus—it's a challenge! It has become more challenging when during the water break a stranger with a friendly gesture approached me. She decided to confide with me about her health problem. She and her husband have been trying to have children, but pregnancy for her seems difficult. She consulted her doctor and was adviced to lose weight, so she decided to enroll in the gym. As I was listening to her ordeal, I suddenly felt taken aback when she started talking about God ... it made me thought of 1 Timothy 4:8-9. It's always a blessing to know someone who joins a fitness club for right reasons. One of the many disciplines that the Lord has taught me is, slow to speak. By practicing so, I've learned where this woman's heart is coming from, her concerns and needs, and what to pray for. The doctor may have given her the right advice, "for bodily exercise profits a little..." ( 1 Tim. 4:8a). If the Lord desires to bless her and her husband with children, He can make things work out—nothing is impossible with God (Mark 10:27).
Such humbling circumstance which the Lord has brought to my attention, has led me to ask this question: Are we as "spiritually fit" as we are ever going to be? I hope not. When it comes to our faith God isn't done with us yet.
The journey toward spiritual maturity lasts a lifetime for "godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come" (1 Tim. 4:8b). As Christians, we can and should continue to grow in the love and the knowledge of our Savior as long as we live. But, if we cease to grow, either emotionally more so spiritually, we do God a profound disservice.
If we study God's Word, if we obey His commandments, and if we live in the center of His will, we will not be "stagnant" believers. We will, instead, be growing Christians, and that's exactly what God wants for our lives.
In those quiet moments when we open our hearts to God, the Creator who made us keeps remaking us. He gives us wisdom, direction, perspective, and courage. Let's keep in mind that spiritual growth is not instantaneous and neither for that matter, is the attainment of becoming physically fit. Hurdles are expected along the way, but progress should also be expected to happen over time when we keep a willing and submissive heart before the Lord.
Above all, as much as God is willing to help us to become physically fit, but, He is more interested to see us grow in our faith, to become more spiritually mature. For only what's done for Christ will last.
1 TIMOTHY 4:8-9 ~ "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance."
I was very grateful for the opportunity that God has bestowed upon me—that I was able to do some physical fitness. Being in a new place made me felt like a total stranger—as I was trying to learn the unfamiliar routine ... more so that I was mindful of the things of God—both inwardly and outwardly ... moves that are pleasing to Him ... that are appropriate for a woman who professes Godliness in Christ Jesus—it's a challenge! It has become more challenging when during the water break a stranger with a friendly gesture approached me. She decided to confide with me about her health problem. She and her husband have been trying to have children, but pregnancy for her seems difficult. She consulted her doctor and was adviced to lose weight, so she decided to enroll in the gym. As I was listening to her ordeal, I suddenly felt taken aback when she started talking about God ... it made me thought of 1 Timothy 4:8-9. It's always a blessing to know someone who joins a fitness club for right reasons. One of the many disciplines that the Lord has taught me is, slow to speak. By practicing so, I've learned where this woman's heart is coming from, her concerns and needs, and what to pray for. The doctor may have given her the right advice, "for bodily exercise profits a little..." ( 1 Tim. 4:8a). If the Lord desires to bless her and her husband with children, He can make things work out—nothing is impossible with God (Mark 10:27).
Such humbling circumstance which the Lord has brought to my attention, has led me to ask this question: Are we as "spiritually fit" as we are ever going to be? I hope not. When it comes to our faith God isn't done with us yet.
The journey toward spiritual maturity lasts a lifetime for "godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come" (1 Tim. 4:8b). As Christians, we can and should continue to grow in the love and the knowledge of our Savior as long as we live. But, if we cease to grow, either emotionally more so spiritually, we do God a profound disservice.
If we study God's Word, if we obey His commandments, and if we live in the center of His will, we will not be "stagnant" believers. We will, instead, be growing Christians, and that's exactly what God wants for our lives.
In those quiet moments when we open our hearts to God, the Creator who made us keeps remaking us. He gives us wisdom, direction, perspective, and courage. Let's keep in mind that spiritual growth is not instantaneous and neither for that matter, is the attainment of becoming physically fit. Hurdles are expected along the way, but progress should also be expected to happen over time when we keep a willing and submissive heart before the Lord.
Above all, as much as God is willing to help us to become physically fit, but, He is more interested to see us grow in our faith, to become more spiritually mature. For only what's done for Christ will last.
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen." (2 Peter 3:18)
