The first time I walked into a gym I saw a whole wall of dumbbells. I thought to myself, “Wow they sure have a generous amount of weight”, not realizing that it wasn’t about providing a bunch of weights, it was about providing the full range of weights. It’s a model after God. He generously gives us the tools for every season in our lives – from when we are weakest to when we’re capable and need to go harder than we ever thought we could and everything in between. But (and I can’t emphasize this enough), what sets God apart – what defines His nature, is that he isn’t just generous. God is generous AND extravagant. That’s real good news. And, He doesn’t stop there. He made us to be generous AND extravagant also. That’s God’s real good news alive and at work today.
FAMILY FITNESS – It’s more than a goal. If you have family, then you have access to some amazing ways to workout. You have potential to exercise much more than your body. If you don’t have any immediate family, then it’s time to make your physical movement a movement toward stronger spiritual relationships with others and God.
Take time to pray and pursue God’s Spirit to build up your family. Be grateful for who God has given you.
Be generous with your time and extravagant with your love.
LET GOD MAKE YOUR ‘FAITH AND FITNESS’ … STRONGER
I think if you’re into “faith and fitness” it’s high time to get beyond the understanding that your body is God’s temple. We got it! You should at least – That’s faithandfitness101. Let’s start whipping out these muscle building tools and exercising with them:
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart – be unshakable! Christ has overcome the world.
These aren’t just tough-talk Jesus words. This is divine empowerment from a God that personally wants you to live with total trust and abandon in Him. It goes way beyond your strength and understanding.
With the Holy Spirit you’ll receive power and have ability.
To clarify, your strength is NOT what you want, and it’s certainly not what you want to show off to others. The real OMG power is exclusively from God’s Spirit.
Your best God-designed journey is to be constantly and fully dependent on Him.
Check out those kids – They’ve got the energy, lots of it.
Family fitness is a deeper relationship where grandparents support parents who give instruction and compassion to little ones who challenge and love each moment with wide eyed wonder the kind that grandparents thrive on to stay active.
It is more than a place or program or routine or pic to post – this is life! BE LIFE, the life of Christ – the life that God gives generously and extravagantly.
TIME TO BE GENEROUS AND EXTRAVAGANT
I hope you can see where this and so much more of the Bible will take you. The nature of God isn’t some optional nice idea. God certainly isn’t religious sex-appeal to glaze your social appearance and add extra cha-ching to how you market yourself. Nor is God some lame-o, “I’m trying” or some boohoo resignation, “I tried”.
Milk time is over. The world where God has you, needs muscle meat. He has given you Christ – everything you need. His grace is generous. Now, pray that you can grab hold of, be filled with and exude daily his extravagance. Don’t just ask for it, receive it and then be like God – generous AND extravagant.
Train strong in Christ,
Brad Bloom, Publisher
Featured photo above by Ivan S: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-and-red-dumbbells-4162451
