Today’s Faith Workout was written by Kelly Barcol, our Chaplain Role Champion, Owner of CrossFit Winnersville, and Lead Pastor at Winnersville Community Center.
What we do with our bodies and what we put into our bodies matters to God. Let’s talk about diet and exercise from a whole other perspective.
Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next.” 1 Timothy 4:7b-8 (NLT)
It’s kind of interesting. Hunger drives us to eat. It is this gnawing sensation in the pits of our stomachs that causes us to sit down and scarf down about three meals a day. Hunger is actually a good thing. Hunger shows that I am alive.
It’s also true in the Christian realm, in the spiritual arena. The Bible says if I have a hunger for the things of God, it shows that I am alive, spiritually. Let’s look at the Bible for a spiritual meal plan. Did you know that the Bible has at least three specific food groups that are essential to our spiritual health?
The First is a basic food group: Calcium
Milk is for beginners, inexperienced in God’s ways. Hebrews 5:13 (MES)
Our bodies need calcium. Especially, when we are young. This is what gives us a strong foundation to grow on. Calcium keeps us from getting hurt as easily. When you go to church or an event like Faith RX’d you are at least getting some spiritual calcium. It’s a must! It is a basic nutrient for a believer or a pre-believer. Beginning to seek God, asking questions about God, overcoming some fears about going to church, actually attending church regularly . . . This is where you begin to build an intimate faith with a loving God.
We need to make sure that we continue to give ourselves this spiritual calcium that our body needs and our souls need. Attending a local church gathering regularly is a necessity to have in our spiritual meal plan.
The Second: Carbohydrate
Here is what the Bible says. John 6:35 the following words of Jesus, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry.”
In our Paleo driven CrossFit culture it’s easy to get into the protein and say no to the complex carbohydrates. However, Jesus says, if you feed on my bread, if you feed on me, the text goes on to say, you will never, ever go hungry. “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry.”
You can be satisfied, if you eat the bread of life, this cosmic carbohydrate. Let me tell you how you can work some spiritual carbs into your diet. By taking some NEXT steps in your personal faith journey! When you go from being a Sunday morning consumer, to being a committed member of a local church. Going from attending a Faith RX’d event to serving at Faith RX’d events.
At the milk stage, the calcium stage we are always being fed, we are always on the receiving end of the deal. At the carb stage you begin to learn how to feed yourself. DOWNLOAD the Youversion Bible APP and begin daily devotionals, taking the time to read and meditate on the Faith RX’d Word of the Day, these are high in spiritual carbohydrates. It is a must for each of us.
The Third: Protein
If I am going to be a mature believer, I have got to have more than calcium and the cosmic carbs. We also have to intake some powerful protein. Because, you have got to combine protein with calcium and the carbs.
Here is what Hebrews 5:14 (NIV) says, “Solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”
Solid food is the meat. If you want to be a mature Christian you are going to have to have some meat in your diet. Now, there are several things that are high in protein. And you will never be fully content with your relationship with God unless these are consistently in your weekly meal plan.
Some of the best, juiciest, tenderest, cooked to perfection, fall off the bone spiritual meat is served up in small groups of believers who meet together throughout the week. This is where you begin to build community in a small group family.
Reading the Bible on your own . . . Quiet time of Praying . . . Consistently bringing God a generous offering . . . Serving others . . . Leading others to Jesus. . .
Our goal as Christian is to get to this place where we have a balanced diet of each of these three Biblical food groups.
DISCUSSION
Which of the three spiritual food groups do you need to add to your life? How do we have and keep a healthy spiritual diet without just “checking the boxes”? Discuss what is the difference between being a “Consumer” Christian verses being a “Contributor”?
SKILL WORK
What is your NEXT STEP you can take to have a healthier balance of spiritual Calcium, Carbs, and protein to your life? Find a pastor, friend or coach to share your NEXT STEP with to help you be accountable to take it.
