I recently had the opportunity to run a marathon, and as always, as I trudge wearily along the roads, I am in awe of those who I see ahead of me. It’s not just that they are ahead of me, but the fact that I would never have picked them as a marathon runner. Some are much older, running with an age category badge indicating they are over 70 or 80, some are twice my weight, and some have the most awkward hobbling running style. It’s a great lesson about fitness – fitness has to do with the heart and lungs, not the outward appearance of someone’s body. And the same is true when it comes to spiritual fitness. We may be tempted to look at how people dress or speak at church, but true spiritual fitness is far deeper than this. The good news is – “The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7). While being fit is important, the most important pursuit is developing our spiritual hearts – “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8). Open Bible – https://bit.ly/1Ti4v8, https://bit.ly/1Sa16v7
