I believe my exact thoughts were something to the affect of “Are you kidding me?!?” I was purchasing a membership at a new gym here in Lawton and I was informed of something I didn’t want to hear. I was told that a requirement of being a member at this gym is to have a mandatory (free) session with a personal trainer. I’m assuming this was for insurance reasons to make sure I don’t harm myself while attempting to exercise.

This did not appeal to me at all. I have been working out regularly since I was 12. I don’t need a personal trainer. Then I began to think about how this meeting would go. I envisioned the trainer telling me “Now this is what we call a dumbbell. This is what we call a treadmill…” I wasn’t excited. Then I thought, maybe the trainer can show me some neat workouts to enhance the rut I seem to fall into at the gym. There was no more worrying to do, the day finally came for my mandatory session with the trainer.

I sat in a private room with a man who was extremely fit (as you would hope to see from a trainer) and he began to ask me questions. “What are your weigh goals?” “What do you hope to achieve this month?” “What long term benefits do you hope to reap?” Just as I thought the interrogation was ending he asked me about one goal that I had given and said “on a scale of 1-10 how important is it to you that you achieve this goal?” I thought for a second and I said “A 6.”

Wrong answer!

He began to lecture me. Asking “Why is it not a 10?!?” If you do not place this as an important goal you are not going to achieve it! You will spend the rest of your life with having the same goals because you never placed it high enough in your priorities. Needless to say, I was ready to disappear and pretend my “session” never happened.

Spiritually speaking.

What are your goals? How high are they on your list? If someone was to ask you, what spiritual goals do you have for your life this month, what would you answer them? What are your spiritual goals for this year? How important are they to you?

The Good News: Many Christians have tremendous goals. They want to lead their close friends and family to Christ. They want to be able to teach Bible class, preach sermons, lead singing, lead door knocking campaigns, write books, keep children interested and plugged in to the church.

The Bad News: Far too often, these good ideas are not nearly high enough on our priority list. Much like I was instructed by the trainer, if we do not set a high priority on these goals, we will NEVER achieve them.

Col 3:22-24- Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.