I was waiting my turn to be in a game of four-square on the playground at my elementary school so many years ago when a classmate posed that great make-you-squirm riddle, “What would you rather do: slide down a 40-foot long razor blade into a can of turpentine or have 7 holes in your head?” Of course the right answer is 7 holes in your head: 2 eyes, 2 ears, 2 nostrils and 1 mouth. Oh yeah of course. But initially, like everyone else, I was thinking, “Ewww, I wouldn’t want either.”
You may be thinking the exact same thing with the theme of this issue of Faith & Fitness Magazine. ACCOUNTABILITY is greater than atrophy.Most people have at least a little bit of resistance to the concept of ‘accountability’. That’s probably an understatement. “I’m a self-made person, free to make my own choices. I don’t have to report to anyone!” Of course the stated alternative ‘atrophy’ isn’t any better. Nobody wants to waste away. “Pick one? Seriously?”, You might be thinking, “ Don’t put me in a box by telling me how to box.” In the Bible a guy by the name of Samuel said it this way, “Obedience is better than sacrifice”. Not quite what you’d expect your personal trainer or group exercise instructor to tell you -but they should.
I believe we’re in a really unique season – and even though this is written during the Christmas/New Year holiday season, I’m not talking about that at all. I refer to a season where many are dazed from pandemic fatigue combined with hope for what surely will be a better year combined with a generous amount of self-soothing, “It’s been a difficult and unprecedented time”.
In many ways it’s like ‘the final push’. In distance races, battles, business deals, studies, and diets and training for bodybuilding competitions, the final push means the same thing – – – determination to overcome and achieve.
If you were hoping this all ends with a big pat on the back, a high-five, a “well done thou good and faithful servant” …Ummmm nope. We’re just getting started on the part, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!” Say what? Oh yeah, it’s about to get real good. This is no time to despair or relent. It’s the worst time to just coast and be silent. Those around you need to hear you breathing hard as you push. They need to feel the energy as you gain momentum. You’re not just a survivor. God has a really big plan for you – for such a time as this.
WIDE AWAKE – WHAT A WASTE
Unfortunately spiritual atrophy is so much a part of today’s popular Christian lifestyle that it is an assumed operating system. It gives you a context to blindly embrace and never question.
It demoralizes what should be an aggressive daily pursuit of being Christ-like. It justifies non-responsive inaction as the outcome of a socially acceptable response to Christ’s calling for followers to be revealing light and curing salt. It gives an unequivocal and permanent pass to individuals who are mandated by the faith to make disciples. It demands nothing more than a repetitive and familiar act of spiritual self-stimulation.
For much of the organized Christian church social distancing is nothing new. This is self-actualized woke Christianity. If this is you, God wants you to quit wasting away.
THE BOLD LOOK OF ACCOUNTABILITY
This is an invitation – OK, a challenge to prove that God is God. Be strong, friendly, available, generous and resourceful. You can be the force that God uses to shape culture, to strengthen those who are weak, to administer healing amidst the atmosphere of sickness and to fuel a growing passion in faithful living.
Is it a burden or a blessing to be able to offer and find accountability within a marriage relationship? Your spouse can be the single most dynamic contributor to your physical and spiritual development. AND the same goes for you for your spouse.
Life gets and stays busy and we regularly make commitments to others and to our vocations. Your marriage relationship shouldn’t atrophy as a result of that busyness and obligations.
Pray and then make a commitment to prioritize your marriage and specifically your spouse.
Do it today because ACCOUNTABILITY > atrophy.
Lots of people think that as they get older they somehow graduate and become accountable to no one.
Certainly the wisdom that should be gained with age places older adults to take on a greater position as role models. AND THAT is exactly why you, at whatever your age, can find tremendous value in having a friend of similar age with whom you can practice accountability together.
Pain, mobility and all the things associated with aging can be less daunting when you practice a teamwork approach to fitness and your daily lifestyle. When that friendship is grounded in faithful relationship and worship with God it is even better. AND that is what the younger generations need to see you demonstrate.
Do it today because ACCOUNTABILITY > atrophy.
When you get dehydrated you naturally become thirsty. Same is true when your body need sustenance – you get hungry.
Thirst and hunger are natural God-designed physiological functions. How we respond to them shapes us – physically, behaviorally and spiritually.
Consider this: you can help account for how someone else responds to thirst and hunger. You likely have a family member, friend, co-worker, classmate, neighbor, or simply someone with whom you come in contact that needs encouragement – a good and compassionate example in how to respond to thirst and hunger.
Maybe their go-to are sodas or they crave alcohol. Maybe they do too much fast food, snack foods, processed foods or skip meals OR just eat excessive amounts of food at 1 meal.
Outwardly we’re often silent or may make a comment because inwardly we’re critical or perhaps even disgusted. We can respond differently. You can be the example. Not just the “look how good I am example”. You can be the life of Christ by giving drink and food.
Prep for someone else. Invite him or her over for a meal. Take that person to a good nutritious restaurant. Plan now to do it. Then do it soon because ACCOUNTABILITY > atrophy.
Where’s the contract? What am I required to do to be accountable? Being an accountability partner with others doesn’t have to be a handshake agreement – a major ordeal.
It can be as simple as just giving someone a call, checking in with her or him, asking a few questions, listening and being available to be used by God.
Do it today because ACCOUNTABILITY > atrophy.
Package your perspective of accountability in a new and bold way. Every time you get a box delivered to your door use it to actively think about how resourceful you are with your physical and spiritual fitness. Before you open it, thank God for the BOX and realize that it represents you. Pray and listen to God about how you can be accountable with your life in the moment. The simplest of things like your time and focus have great value in God’s hands.
One of the greatest gifts you can give to someone is the commitment to listen, the passion to be present, the selflessness to love deeply, the strength to rise above whatever it is that is holding you back from being all GOD wants you to give.
Let God give you vision to see that the boxes in your life can be more than just discarded trash. Think outside the box and experience the real value God wants to deliver through you because ACCOUNTABILITY > atrophy.
Train strong in Christ,
Brad Bloom, Publisher
