iShineInMinistry

James 4:17 (NKJV)

Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

I consider myself to be pretty in shape, even though my physical appearance would not immediately lead you to believe such. I work out multiple times a week, have a very active lifestyle and love to run and find other fun ways to burn calories. While my constant state of movement is a great attribute for staying healthy, I must admit…I HATE strength training. Until about three weeks ago, I had not done any strength training in over three years! I would work out up to six days a week, having a grand old doing cardio workouts and breeze by the weights, machines and other equipment. I figured, how bad could that be?

Fast forward a to few weeks ago with me trying to do bicep curls and planks…and struggling BADLY. I used to be able to do a 5-minute plank with no problem; now one minute is actually difficult for me. All the cardio workouts I completed led me to believe that I would probably still balance out health-wise since I was not doing the other needed exercise; that theory did not work! Now, I might as well be back at square one, trying to get back to a place where my friends can once again call me “workout Barbie”!

The funny thing about coming to terms with my out of shape-ness was what God showed me spiritually speaking. We can go to church, serve in ministry and think that our relationship with the Lord will just “balance out” even though we stop reading our bibles and praying. Or we can pray and listen to Christian music all the time and think that balances out the fact that we haven’t attended church in five years! Can I just tell all of us…it will never balance out!

In the same way that I need to do all parts of my workout to stay healthy, we need to apply all parts of ourselves to worshipping the Lord. We can’t tithe and think it will balance out the habitual/life-dominating sin we commit. We can’t overdo something to make up for what we don’t do; it just does not work that way. The scripture above even tells us that if we know what we should do and don’t do it, we are sinning! That is not a place any of us want to be in. So, let’s all ask God to show us those places we are neglecting or trying to balance out with something else and surrender it to Him - letting Him do a work in our hearts and minds as we grow in our faith. We will be glad that we did, even though the first few weeks may not feel so great (just like my bicep curls), but in time, we will be blessed and filled with Him!!

James 1:4 (NET)

And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.

Are you trying to balance out an area of your relationship with God? If so, ask Him to help you fully commit to doing His will, no matter what the cost. Have someone hold you accountable if need be, you will be glad you did!!