I have been involved in different sports most of my life. I was above average in most sports I tried but never what I (or anyone else) would consider an outstanding athlete. I love both individual competition and team sports. The last few years with several health challenges (open heart surgery and hip replacement surgery) I have been very limited in what I can do and certainly haven’t been able to play or compete in anything sports-wise. However, I am hoping to be able to be more active as time and exercise continue to work their magic! My goal is to learn to play pickleball hopefully by the end of this year (or early 2025)!

The scripture has some interesting insights concerning not only how to manage our bodies but also some wisdom on the importance of spiritual fitness. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) My conclusion from that exhortation is to take care of my body – it is the “tent” that you live in for as long as you are on this earth. Being a poor steward of this tent/temple could shorten your life and effectiveness as a heavenly ambassador for the Kingdom of God. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

My regular prayer for many years has been based on Romans 12:1. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.” That will look different for each of us and we don’t need to compare ourselves or compete against others, but rather trust our Heavenly coach, the Holy Spirit, to lead and guide us through our day. I try to yield my body, soul, and spirit to the Lord in this way.

Athletes who plan to compete in a sport must go through rigorous training to improve and reach their fullest potential. I have heard many stories about the sacrifice it takes to become a competitive athlete and the importance of the right coach to discover and help the athlete become the individual who is using all of their talent and abilities to the fullest. “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11) Paul exhorts the Corinthian believers: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27) Paul writes to his son in the faith, Timothy: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8)

The Lord spoke through Jeremiah the prophet: “But let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight.” (Jeremiah 9:24) We need to exercise our spiritual muscles in the same way an athlete works out daily to maintain and build their physical body. “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” (Hebrews 5:14)

You may have heard the saying “Gifts are given but fruit is grown.” From a spiritual standpoint, the Lord has gifted each one of us individually with different gifts and talents. They were deposited in us when we made our entrance into this physical world. Of course, almost all of them still need to be developed through training and discipline, but the potential is in an individual’s DNA or makeup. However, the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians may be in us in seed form, but for them to be manifested in our lives, it is more like a garden that must be tended to constantly to get a harvest. It has to be watered, weeded, fertilized, and cultivated from the day the ground is tilled and the seeds are placed into the ground. I have enjoyed my garden as well as other people’s produce and there is nothing much tastier than a homegrown tomato! But it takes some effort to produce good fruit or veggies. The same is true of the fruit of the Spirit.

The fruit of the Spirit is the most attractive fruit that we can cultivate in our lives. A person who reacts with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control when circumstances cause many to act in the opposite spirit, will be noticed by those who need to see that the Kingdom of God is real and tangible in everyday life. When much of the world indulges in excessive behaviors, to see someone who is temperate or able to deny themselves in an area that could lead to negative outcomes is very attractive, even convicting. We see that demonstrated in athletes and professional musicians as well as others who realize that the way to excellence is through sacrifice and self-discipline.

Jeremiah adds some insight when the Lord asks him “If you have run with footmen and they have wearied you, then how can you compete with horses?” (Jeremiah 12:5) The footmen refers to the one who runs ahead of kings and princes perhaps like an armed bodyguard to defend them from harm particularly as they traveled. That would be a great honor and responsibility. But competing with horses is not a normal activity for a human being. Perhaps it is referring to a person who is strong and fast and excels in whatever they do. It could also be talking about operating in a realm that is “supernatural” or that would be considered impossible in the natural. But God is asking Jeremiah if he is ready to move beyond his comfort zone “the safe land you are so trusting” into “the thicket of the Jordan”.

If we are not fit to run with the footmen, what will we do when the going gets tough? I believe that is a valid question we each need to ask ourselves. What are we doing to make ourselves more fit spiritually? I am doing exercises 3-4 times a day to strengthen my body and regain as much physical fitness as I can. Am I doing the same for my spiritual man? Am I diligent in my pursuit of Him? There are many spiritual disciplines that we can do regularly to maintain and improve our spiritual fitness.