I don't usually talk too much about "spiritual matters" when discussing my Body-for-LIFE program, but perhaps I should... For several months now, I've been going to the Men's Group at my church on Wednesday nights. Although it is certainly a Bible study - and I gotta admit I could use some learnin' in this area! it is so much more than that... I've known some of the guys for years and it's been great re-connecting with them...but I've also made new friends with some great guys who inspire me with their commitment to grow and become the man God wants them to be. We actually have a great time and I always feel jazzed when I'm there. Of course, some of the guys have noticed that I've been dropping a good deal of weight and tonight I felt compelled to share "my secret"...
There is no doubt that the Body-for-Life program is a key tool in my latest comeback, but the dog-gone reality is that without God's help and these guys praying for me, I simply wouldn't be making the progress I am. After the setbacks of the last couple of years, I started 2008 struggling to get my confidence back and really believe I could lose the weight - again. But one of my friends tonight told me that I simply wasn't the same man of a few months ago - that it was obvious that God was moving in my life and that someday he was sure I would be healed. What a blessing to have that kind of support...
No doubt you need a good deal of fitness knowledge along with tremendous motivation, persistence and determination to get your body into shape. But to really be the kind of person you want to be it's going to take a lot more than just showing up at the gym. The enemy is always working to drag you down and try to convince you that God doesn't care about your life...your hopes...and your dreams. And he doesn't play fair. He'll use your life circumstances, your past, your fears and your doubts to try to discourage you from doing much more than sitting on the couch and flipping channels... Building muscle is a key component of just about any fitness program but without also feeding and exercising your spiritual muscles I don't think you can have long-term success with any exercise regimen. Perhaps you can reach your weight-loss/fitness goals without God being the center of your "program"...perhaps...but I wouldn't bet on it...
OK, "Pastor Jim" is stepping down from the pulpit...well, at least for now...