Spiritual Fitness: Membership Special!

 I bet everyone knows which film won the Oscar for the Best Picture in 1981. That’s right! You remembered the film because you heard the famous music score in your mind, “Chariots of Fire.” The film is a classic. If you haven’t seen it, please do. The film is based on two runners in the 1924 Olympics. Eric Liddell (a Scottish Christian) who runs for the glory of God, and Harold Abrams (an English Jew) who runs to overcome prejudice.

For Eric Liddell it was all about God. In the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, he was forced to withdraw from the 100 meter race, his best event, because one of the qualifying heats was scheduled on a Sunday. Liddell kept the Sabbath holy; he would not run on Sunday.

His critics suggested that Liddell needed to change his approach to training if he really wanted to successfully compete at high levels. His response was brief and direct: “I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.”

He went on in this Olympics to win the bronze medal in the 200 meters and the gold in the 400 meters (pictured above) for Great Britain. After reaching the pinnacle of competitive running, Liddell left for China as a missionary, again simply to honor God. He would do this up until the day he died in a POW camp.

I Timothy 4:7-8 says, “Train yourself to be godly. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.

I try to swim six days of the week because it is the only cardio exercise I can do that doesn't further irritate my spine. I also try and get to the gym three days a week to lift weights. Having the discipline to physically work out is easy for me because of my athletic and coaching background. I am amazed at how many people have the personal discipline to physically workout and measure their progress, but when it comes to spiritual exercising they can be pretty hap hazard about it. If you are disciplined about your physical training, consider being as disciplined with “godly training” in your life as well.

Adopt a spiritual training program. Get a trainer (mentor, accountability partner, or coach). Put a Bible reading program in place. Pray, fast, and journal your progress. What will you do to serve the community? What will you do to reach the lost? Will you get into a small group study to learn and develop relationships? How will you measure your progress to determine if you are becoming spiritually fit?
Let’s get in shape spiritually and physically!