Do you ever take an inventory of your personal fitness level? If so what is it that you consider being fit? Maybe it is that you can no longer “pinch that inch”, or that you are no longer out of breath when you climb the stairs. Perhaps it something much greater than that. More than likely it has components of strength, flexibility, agility, and cardio.

These are things that we take into consideration when trying to judge our personal physical fitness. But when we begin to take stock of the Kingdom of God and our place in it, are we fit for it? How is it that we are to evaluate our spiritual level of conditioning? In Scripture we have the words of Jesus in the Beatitudes and the teaching of Paul on the fruits of the Spirit, as prime examples of the level of fitness that is expected of those who are a part of God’s Kingdom. To live and move with that quality of spiritual health and vitality requires us to submit ourselves to the wisdom, experience and expectations of Jesus. It is not something that we do alone. We are to do it with His guidance by the Holy Spirit, yielding ourselves totally to Him.  As with any fitness program we will need to begin with small steps. We also need to be aware that we will not always like or agree with the training methods imposed by our coach. But as we progress, our faith and trust in him and our ability to yield ourselves to the process will grow.

We are also in training with others. Not just those present with us, but those cloud of witnesses before us and those who come after us. Those who are across physical borders and cultural boundaries as well. Part of God’s training plan requires us to rub shoulders, get bruised and dirty with people who are just like us. People who are broken and limited and in need of God’s grace and mercy just like you and me.  We are to encourage, push and prod one another so that we can move beyond our personal limitations and live like Christ in His Kingdom.

There is a yielding on our part as we follow God’s plan for us. There is a faithfulness and responsibility that is required of us too. And yes there are some keys to this fitness that we need to maintain, because as humans our fitness levels can be in constant flux. We just need to trust the coach, we need to listen and follow after him.

What are some of the ways in which you Follow the coach? Do you always agree with the training plan? How is it that you are trying to be fit for the Kingdom?

Photo by: Method Fitness