“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” – 1 Timothy 4:8 (NLT)
New Year’s resolutions differ from person to person, but one of the most popular resolutions for the new year is to lose weight and exercise more. As this year winds down and the new year is upon us, many resolutions are being made. Working out and eating right helps to get and keep our physical body in shape. But what about our spiritual body?
Several years ago, just after New Year’s, I walked past people working out in a gym. I thought to myself, what if Jesus had a gym? How would He train us to get spiritually fit? Timothy 4:7 says to “…train yourselves to be Godly.” Just like a trainer in a gym, who teaches us the right way to exercise and eat right, so does God, through His Word, teach us what to do to be spiritually healthy. Getting fit by eating healthy, exercising, and shedding pounds is good for us, but it’s for this life only. Spiritual exercise benefits our souls and prepares us for eternal life.
Some ways to exercise spiritually are by attending a Bible study, reading devotions, praying, attending church services, and partaking in the Lord’s Supper. The Lord wants to train us in His Word. Our earthly bodies will give out, but being spiritually fit and healthy leads us to eternal life with Him. Nourish on God’s Word, feast on His promises, and commit to learning what it means to become spiritually healthy. That’s a New Year’s resolution that builds lifetime benefits.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, teach us to nourish our souls and help us to grow in Christ-likeness. Teach us to mature in Your Word and commit to learning what it means to be a child of God and live a life full of promise and spiritual health. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Written by: Laurie Davis
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