Morning Devotion

I’ve seen a number of Facebook pictures lately from the high school reunion that I was unable to attend.

It’s been surprising to me as to how unhealthy some of the former classmates appear. I’ve found myself asking, “How could they let themselves go like that? Don’t they want to have really long and active lives?”

But then I recognized that I still have room for improvement in pursuing daily exercise and in continuing to eat even more healthfully than what I already do.

Yes, my waistline is the same as when I was 18 but my joints aren’t as flexible because I’m not stretching frequently enough. I’m taking a risk of injury from a twisting fall simply because I’m not doing enough to remain flexible.

Gonna have to work on that.

Yes, I’ve cut out carbonated soft drinks and everyday desserts from my diet. And I rarely eat greasy food such as bacon or potato chips.

But is every thing that goes into my mouth dietitian-endorsed?

Uh, gonna have to work on that one, too.

Here’s the point — whenever we’re tempted to gaze out the window at the shortfalls of others, we need to discipline ourselves to look in the mirror and compare ourselves not with those of lesser fitness, but with those optimally fit for our age.

It’s a humbling thought, to be sure, this idea that we should measure ourselves according to what should be for us rather than the shortfalls of others.

Here’s the Apostle Paul’s words in this matter:

“Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us” (Romans 12:3)

Paul doesn’t call us to evaluate others, but instead ourselves. And the measuring stick is the faith pattern taught in the scriptures and demonstrated by Jesus Christ.

I’ve got work to do with my flesh and with my faith.

For me to be eating a Twinkie while criticizing somebody’s expanded girth would be hypocritical and foolish.

Griping and wagging fingers about the “lack of faith” others show toward their God has no place, particularly when our own “to do” list for spiritual growth has plenty to keep us busy until we graduate to heaven.

Please ask God to stir your heart to make progress today toward a better example for Christ.

Please join me in addressing at least one needed area of improvement in our spiritual lives. You know where you’re lacking just as I know where I’m lacking.

Only good will result.

As always, I love you

Martin

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Tags: Christian service, God's leading, humility, Jesus Christ, personal holiness, testimony, trust