Today's society is possessed with improving the body and the mind. Universities are filled with those who hunger for knowledge. Students spend hours—and thousands of dollars—reading and listening to lectures to gain information that will improve their quality of life.

And the physical fitness craze has become a billion-dollar industry with spas, gyms, and workout centers in every city. We spend hundreds of dollars on workout clothing and athletic shoes.

Yet many believers spend only Sunday morning dedicated to their spiritual growth. Our bodies get several hours of attention each day, but our mind is renewed and our spirit man built up only a few hours every week. Could this be a problem?

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
(1 Tim. 4:8)

When life is over and we stand before Jesus, I think I can safely say that we will not be interested in what shape our physical bodies are in. And throughout eternity, I don't think we will be standing around discussing how we kept in good physical shape while we lived in our death-doomed earth suits.

No, I think we will be consumed with understanding the truth of God's Word and drawing as close to Him as we can.

What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
(Mark 8:36)

How about a spiritual checkup? What are you doing to bring spiritual growth? You cannot achieve God's plan for your life without spiritual maturity. You've got to develop your faith muscle and your righteousness tendons—and that humility hamstring that tends to be weak when everything else is working well!

It's ultimately your spiritual maturity that will carry you through in your mission.

Source: Mission 3:16 Devotional by Carman.
Excerpt permission granted by Albury Publishing