So I got this one month free membership to the local fitness center for Christmas, and I’m thinking, “Yea, I probably need to do this.” After the one month is over I have to pay for the membership myself if I want to continue, but I guess there is always a cost with priorities.

I took the free fitness test that came with my gift last week – good news, my blood is great – bad news, my fitness level is poor. It’s no surprise really; I’ve been trying to decide if I should go up a pant size, but I have decided to work on my health instead. In addition to some exercise, I’ve been monitoring my calorie intake with FatSecret, a must have for anyone watching what they eat! So far, I have lost 12 pounds in 5 days! Amazing I know, but I don’t think I have to worry about wasting away.

I have made a game really, out of watching my calories and have been having fun at the fitness center as well, although I do struggle with making time for the latter. I have been surprised at how many people from church I see, in fact, enough that I have started to wonder what God might be doing there. Can you imagine how strong the Body of Christ would be if we all worked together in the same way we did at the fitness center as we did on eternal matters of importance. 2 Corinthians 4:18 challenges us with “…fixing our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

I weighed in yesterday and after four days had lost 11 pounds! This morning I weighed in and I had only lost 1 pound. At first I was disappointed, but then it dawned on me, this is not about weight loss (what is seen), it is about, eating right and being healthy (what is unseen). Plus hey, losing a pound a day isn’t too shabby, or should I say flabby 🙂

I really enjoy hanging out with friends at the fitness center, it helps me and encourages me with things that are seen. But more important, I really want to enjoy my time with God through Bible reading and prayer. I really want to continue to enjoy my time with my small group, and I’m really looking forward to our worship service this weekend.

As much as I am enjoying my weight loss this week, I think I shall purpose in my heart to be encouraged by the unseen. We are going to spend a lot more time in eternity on the other side of this life, so let us not neglect exercising those spiritual disciplines in our lives that help us focus on the unseen.