Gyms, rec centers, exercise rooms all closed for social distancing.  Some people have exercise equipment at home, and for the most part people can still get outside and walk or run.  There are ways to keep exercising and stay fit even when some of the exercise routines we have are disrupted.  The goal is to be fit.  It takes flexibility in schedule, adjustment of routine and perseverance but it can be done.

How about keeping fit spiritually?  The church buildings are closed, those small groups can’t meet, our regular routine for keeping spiritually fit is disrupted.  Yet people have a Bible at home, and knees will bend anywhere (unless you have bad knees) so we maintain the essential framework for staying spiritually fit.  People then get creative with Zoom meetings to pull a group together for Bible study and encouragement.  The old adage seems to take on new life – ‘where there’s a will there’s a way’!

The question is are we prioritizing keeping fit spiritually?  It doesn’t do any good to have a room of workout equipment, treadmills, or even the ‘Mirror’, if it is never used.  So, it is with our spiritual well-being, if we are not regularly reading God’s Word, we are not regularly praying, if we are not regularly worshiping God through praise, adoration and even song (yes, you can sing and worship by yourself), then we will be spiritually unfit.

Other factors may become obstacles to staying spiritually fit.  The first one is sin, if we have sin in our heart it breaks our relationship with the Father, Jesus, and fellow believers.  Hebrews 12:1-2a reminds us, “Therefore, since w have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and sin that so easily ensnares us.  Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus…”  Do regular examinations on your sin situation, if you repent and confess your sin to the Lord, he forgives and restores!  Don’t let sin keep you from being spiritually fit!

The second potential obstacle relates to the last part of the verse we just quoted and that is keeping your eyes on the right goal, or pursuit.  If you want to stay spiritually fit you have to keep your eyes on Jesus.  If we look elsewhere and focus on the wrong thing, or worries and anxieties rather than Jesus, then you won’t be able to keep spiritually fit.  Keep looking forward to Jesus and the promises of God, because as Luke 9:62 says, “But Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’”  To stay spiritually  fit we must keep our eyes forward and on Jesus.

The third potential obstacle is getting involved in things that take away from practicing spiritual disciplines.  2 Timothy 2:4 says, “No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the commanding officer.”  Paul’s point is if you are going to be committed to following Jesus then you don’t bury yourself in things that keep you from being focused and active in staying spiritually fit and focused on Jesus and His plans and purposes.

During this time when the normal routines are disrupted be more diligent in staying spiritually fit!