Getting Spiritually Fit

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:13-14

Lose weight. Get healthy. Quit smoking. Save more money. Spend more time with family. All are worthy resolutions.

When we turn the calendar to a new year, we usually reflect on where we have been and where we want to be. We look at our failures and ask ourselves, “What do I need to change?”

A friend and I recently disagreed about failure. His views about failure have created eyes that see the world through cynical glasses. I believe that failure is an opportunity for growth.

You don’t continue to beat a dead horse but neither do you leave him lying beside the road. Pretty soon he begins to stink.

I’ve heard people say, “I have no regrets about my life. If I had it to do over again, I’d do it the same way.”

Not me. Although I don’t wallow in the pool of regret, I’d definitely do some things differently.

We can learn from our failures to become the person that God created us to be. To do that, we have to look at the past—and that requires confession. Confession is powerful. Owning up to failure is the first, painful step on the path to something better.

Changing the calendar to a new year is a good time for a spiritual checkup.

When you see a new calendar, do you see days and months of blank spaces ready to be filled in with God’s plans for your life or do you see a busy schedule that is taking you away from Him?

Is your life producing something of value for God?

Do you trust Him instead of relying on your own strength and understanding?

Is there something in your life that is holding you back from all that God has waiting for you?

Are you open to God’s leading?

There is no magic pill that transforms us—either physically or spiritually. It requires a plan and if we fail to plan, then we plan to fail—a cliché, but true.

Becoming spiritually mature is simply a matter of learning certain spiritual exercises. Just like getting physically fit requires exercise, we must become self-disciplined in our spiritual lives. To shape our character, we must take the time to develop good habits.

Pastor Rick Warren, the author of the best-seller, A Purpose Driven Life, says that to develop spiritual fitness, our daily habits must include time spent with God, prayer, Bible reading and obedience to what He reveals to you.

Becoming spiritually mature involves more than a quick fix. In our instant gratification society, we want it now—nuke it in the microwave for five minutes and it’s done. But growing spiritually is a gradual process.

Taking the time to grow spiritually is a lifetime endeavor. Are you willing to make the commitment? It requires patience. Knowing that God isn’t finished with us yet, we must press on toward the goal.