Faith Fitness

Saturday is my typical day of rest. Today, I took the afternoon off and drove to Boerne to relax. But even in the quiet, my mind kept returning to a conversation I had with a sister in Christ.

She is carrying burdens that Job would understand.

To say she has endured trauma is an understatement. As I listened, I learned that she once had a strong faith—a real relationship with Jesus. But over time, painful losses began to raise questions. Especially when prayers went unanswered… and a loved one was taken far too soon.

Somewhere along the way, trust gave way to doubt.

She is gifted. Strong. Capable of so much good for God’s glory. But now, she’s not even sure she wants a relationship with Him anymore.

And that stayed with me.

Now I sit once again at the Pilgrim’s Desk, and a simple thought comes to mind—something I learned years ago about physical exercise.

A kind of “cardinal rule.”

If you ever get into shape (not round), don’t get out of shape… because it’s always harder to start again.

Most people have experienced it. The motivation is there at first. A new routine begins. Maybe it’s even tied to a New Year’s resolution. But after a few weeks… or months… the routine fades. The effort feels harder. And eventually, it’s easier to stop than to continue.

And after a while… some just give up altogether.

It makes me wonder.

Can the same thing happen with what I might call faith fitness?

Is it possible that the farther we drift from God, the more distant He seems… and the less we even think to look for Him?

I think so.

So maybe the cardinal rule of faith fitness is this:

If you find Jesus… don’t let Him out of your sight.

Stay near.
Pray without ceasing.
Trust that as you draw near to Him, He draws near to you.

Not as a resolution… but as a way of life.

Because this isn’t about trying harder.

It’s about returning.

Repentance is not a failure—it’s the doorway back.

And if you find yourself drifting… step by step… until you no longer see Him clearly…

Stop.

Sit down—maybe on one of those old wooden benches in the middle of nowhere.

And tell Him the truth.

“Lord, I’m lost. The fog is thick. I can’t see You… and I can’t feel You.”

I’ve been there.

And in one of those moments—standing on what felt like the edge of a cliff, surrounded by a dense fog—I heard the quiet reassurance of the Holy Spirit:

“Just hold on… I Am here with you.”

That was enough.

And it still is.

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Draw near to God and He will draw near to you..." James 4:8 (NKJV)