How’s Your Spiritual Fitness

As a world we sit and wait on a virus our eyes can’t see to finish its nasty business so we can get back to ours.

I don’t believe God created this blight, but I know he’s not surprised by it. And I am confident that, as in all things, he is redeeming it for good. How are you inviting him to do the same in your life? I believe we can embrace this pandemic as a call to improve our spiritual fitness.

Before I began working full-time again this year, I had established a rhythm of starting my mornings with the birds and the Lord, enjoying quiet time in Scripture and prayer. It was life-giving. And I promised myself that a few more hours of work each week wouldn’t change that.

“BC,” “Before Covid” I had slipped into a schedule of 6 a.m. workouts five days a week (and a little later on Saturdays). I was feeling strong and fit and full of life. And I had good intentions to work my quiet time (e.g., God) back into my days soon.

This week I was reminded that there is no better day than today to recommit to fitness, be it physical or spiritual. I had a conversation with a friend, who rises at 5 a.m. so he can have his quiet time with the Lord before his workout. And at the same time, one of my children entered a season of strife and is in need of prayer, my prayer. So like a person coming out of the holidays and climbing back on that treadmill, this week I’m recommitting my mornings to the Lord.

And It Is Good.

If I’m being honest I approached this new fitness regimen with a bit of trepidation. The lie the enemy whispers every time I do this is, “You’ll be sitting in silence. You can’t hear God.” That’s always my fear. But it’s a lie.

This morning God reminded me that I only need to remove the distractions to hear his loving voice.

God reminded me that it helps me hear him if I ask him questions and then listen for his answers.

And he said it is good to lean on my love for his Word as a way to start our conversation.

I want to share the beautiful Psalm 63 that God led me to today, one that perfectly embodies my love for him and speaks a powerful promise I needed to hear today:

O God, you are my God, I seek you,
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands and call on your name.

My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast,
and my mouth praises you with joyful lips
when I think of you on my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
for you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.

But those who seek to destroy my life
shall go down into the depths of the earth;
they shall be given over to the power of the sword,
they shall be prey for jackals.
But the king shall rejoice in God;
all who swear by him shall exult,
for the mouths of liars will be stopped.

Could there be a more beautiful way to start our days…or live our lives?

I invite you to view this “mandated time at home” as a gift from the Lord, an invitation to come and be with him, to let him remind you of how much he loves you. Give him the time and space to speak truth and bring healing over the needs in your life right now, and he will not fail to show up or to fill your heart to overflowing with his great love.