When we see people with the latest phone, designer labels, nice cars, high-paid job we can often be tempted to want to be like them, to be as ‘successful’ as them. It can be easy to get swept up in this striving for worldly success. But as Christians, we’re called to be people who ‘do not conform to the pattern of this world’ (Romans 12:2 NIV). So what should success look like for us? It might be when we’re growing in the fruits of the spirit (they’re listed in Galatians 5:22-23) and becoming more Christ-like. Or maybe when we’ve heard God’s calling and are obedient in following it. Or maybe it’s as simple as trusting God in a situation which we’d normally try and handle on our own. Paul said that the key to being successful is to ‘be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.’ When we focus and put our energy into growing in faith, character, trust – becoming more like Christ – we’re on the way to being successful in it. Paul gave this advice to Timothy: ‘Exercise daily in God – no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever’ (1 Timothy 4:8 MSG). And it’s advice we can take on board too. Success in becoming like Jesus means discipline, perseverance through hard times and daily work. The question is, are we prepared to stop striving for worldly success and live like this instead?

What now?
Do you go to the gym, or jog, or do some type of exercise regularly? Whatever it is, see if you can do something that brings God into it. It could be something like praying while you’re swimming, or listening to an audio Bible or worship music while you’re at the gym. Get inventive!