John’s last letter begins with a prayer for both physical and spiritual prosperity. The New Living Translation says, “Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.” (3 John 1:2) I wonder how much more we would focus on our relationship with God if our physical well-being depended on it?

As 2024 begins, many are attempting to get in better physical shape. Unfortunately, the failure of most has become almost cliché. Willpower eventually fades, and the majority give in to the craving for their own particular “forbidden fruit.” For me that would be ice cream. I used to get as much as I could on a spoon and justify it by saying, “it’s only a spoonful!”

So relax, my first blog isn’t about how to become a disciplined person or ways you can develop the necessary mindset for weight loss. Rather, I simply want to encourage you to fix your mind on Christ, to “seek first the kingdom of God” knowing your spiritual well-being matters much more than your physical health.

Here are a few ways to think about this. Ask yourself:

• “Do I want to get rid of unwanted fat more than getting sin out of my life?”

• “Do I want to increase muscle mass more than my resistance to temptation?”

• “Is my appearance before others more important than how God sees me?”

• “Is increasing my physical endurance a higher priority than my perseverance in righteousness?”

Perhaps the more important question would be, “Is my perception and attitude toward my body shaped more by worldly values than by the Word of God?”

I do not think these parallels are coincidental. Our Creator has so designed us that we might perceive spiritual realities through physical realities. So, this year I offer no plan or practical guide for how to successfully meet your 2024 goals, though I believe that’s important. Rather, as we have been given another year of opportunity, I challenge you to consider your spiritual health in relation to your spiritual well-being. My prayer for all of us, like the apostle John, is that we will enjoy both spiritual and physical prosperity.