As I was working out this week, I realized that my body is not responding to exercise quite as fast as it was when I was 18 or 19.  I have a harder time getting motivated, and I have to work a little bit harder to achieve my goals. I am only 23, and those of you reading who are in your 40s must be thinking, “yep…it only gets harder and harder to keep your body in shape as you get older.”  A lot of it has to do with slowing down metabolism.  Other things increasingly compete for your time as well, and I can only imagine how much more of a challenge it will be to maintain a workout routine when kids come along.

This led me down another thought path.  Our walk with God is like working out.  Lately I have been alerted to the fact that I have lost the love of my youth for God. When I was in high school, I had a burning passion for God.  I was devoted to reading the word every day.  I would pray in my room at night for hours sometimes.  I made opportunities to share Christ with others.  Today I struggle picking up my Bible as often.  Other things compete for my focus when I am trying to pray. And I often wait for opportunities to share Christ rather than make them.

As I met with my friends Cat and Shelley this week, I felt I needed prayer for my poor spiritual fitness. As I get older and get more responsibilities, I want to maintain a close, intimate, and passionate walk with God.  In 1 Corinthians 9:25-27, Paul says this:

“All athletes are disciplined in their training.  They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.  So I run with purpose in every step.  I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training to do what it should.  Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”

So my question to you is this: how’s your spiritual fitness?  If you feel it is better than it used to be, how did you achieve this? If you feel you are out of shape, what will you do this week to begin a “workout routine?”

Love you girls,

Michelle