Spiritual Fitness

As summer approaches, many of us start preparing our physical bodies for the season. We might get back into an exercise routine, and or choose to eat healthier. Summer is a time for rejuvenation and focus on our physical well-being. But just as we take steps to prepare our bodies for the summer, it’s equally important that we focus on our spiritual fitness. While our physical bodies require attention, our hearts and minds need discipline and surrender to God’s will, ensuring we are spiritually ready to walk in His purpose for our lives. Are you ready to say “Yes” to God?

In today’s world, the word “Yes” has become a bit diluted. Sometimes we say “Yes” to appease others, to avoid conflict, or simply out of obligation. Sadly, these “Yeses” are not always filled with conviction or full submission. However, when Jesus said “Yes” to the Father, it was not out of obligation or fear but because He meant it with His whole heart. Jesus, in every aspect of His life, demonstrated full obedience to God’s will, even when it meant sacrifice and suffering. His life was a model of unwavering commitment. In His most difficult moment, He prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39).

This “Yes” was not a hesitant, conditional statement. It was a full surrender. Jesus’ “Yes” reflected submission to the Father’s plan. He was saying “Yes” with full understanding, obedience, and love. His “Yes” was the ultimate act of surrender, fulfilling His purpose as the Savior of the world. As God’s daughters, we are called to follow the example of Jesus. Saying “Yes” to God, is not merely a word; it is an act of submission, trust, and obedience. The Bible calls us to surrender our will to God’s. In Romans 12:1, Paul says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship”. Saying “Yes” to God means living daily in obedience to His will, in our actions, thoughts, and words. It’s a decision to trust Him fully with our lives.

Saying “Yes” to God can feel overwhelming. We may wonder if we are really able to live in total surrender. But there is peace in submitting to God’s will. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us that when we say “Yes” to God, we choose to rest in His guidance. We choose peace, knowing He is in control. Each new day offers us a fresh opportunity to surrender and say “Yes” to God. We can start each day with the prayer of Jesus, in the Garden: “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). When we do this, we open ourselves to God’s leading, trusting that He will guide us through every challenge, knowing that He is always with us.

When we say “Yes” to God, we step beyond the boundaries of what is comfortable and natural. God often calls us to do things that stretch us beyond our own abilities. In Numbers 13, when the Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land, they saw giants and became afraid. They limited God by refusing to step into His promises. Saying “Yes” to God means trusting Him even when things look impossible. Paul’s life is a powerful example of this kind of surrender. He wrote in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me”. Paul’s “Yes” meant living beyond his own limitations, completely dependent on Christ’s strength. Our “Yes” to God often leads us into places where we have to rely on His power, not our own.

When we say “Yes” to God, it is not just about our words, but how we live (Acts 1:8). Our lives become a testimony of God’s grace, power, and transformation. When we fully submit to God, our lives reflect His character, and others will see Christ in us. 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 says, “You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” Our “Yes” to God makes us living epistles—testimonies of His love and power for all we encounter to read. I encourage you, my sister, to say “Yes” to God and live connected to Him (John 15:5). Saying “Yes” to God allows His life to flow through us, transforming us and those around us.

Join me Under The Church Hat for this month’s exercise:

On a scale of one to ten, how do you rate your Spiritual Fitness? List three things you can do to improve it.

In less than 250 words, describe how you surrender to God on a daily basis.

Describe in less than 250 words, how your testimony of God’s love and power in your life.

Write a prayer of gratitude to God for helping you to rely on His power alone.

Choose a passage from this devotional to meditate on throughout the month.