NASHVILLE (BP) — All areas of life — spiritual, physical, emotional, financial and relational — are connected, Ronnie Floyd, former president of the Southern Baptist Convention who now leads the National Day of Prayer Task Force, writes in a new book.
In “Living Fit: Making Your Life Count by Pursuing a Healthy You,” Floyd aims to help readers “live in the highest way for our Lord and for others.”
“Life is not a dress rehearsal. We have one shot with our life. Living Fit prepares and equips people to make their lives count,” said Floyd, senior pastor of Cross Church in northwest Arkansas.
“I hope readers grow to understanding God wants to use them in a great way to live out God’s purpose in their life,” he said. “The healthier they are personally, the greater the impact will be in their life.”
Within the five areas of life, Floyd has observed that Christians generally neglect the physical aspect of healthy living.
“People know the other areas are important, but living fit physically seems to be dismissed or ranked lower in the order of priorities,” he said.
“Additionally, some Christ followers have convinced themselves they are physically invincible. We are not. I cannot add days to my life but I can add value to the days I have when I am living fit physically. A person is not able to go places and do things their body is unable to take them.”
Floyd also observes that most Christians live as though their spiritual lives are disconnected from the other areas of life.
The typical Christ follower will check his or her spiritual life gauge, he said, and if it is pointing toward health, they assume their entire life is healthy. Yet, the reality is, life does not work that way; it is not just one part but many parts of a whole.
Living Fit was written with both individuals and groups in mind. Pastors, Sunday School teachers or small group leaders can teach the content of the book in five core messages or go deeper and teach it in 20 sessions.
“There is a deep hunger in the lives of people to live holistically,” Floyd said. “They just may not know how to do it or believe they can do so.”
Holistic living, Floyd added, nurtures the prayer life of an individual as well as a congregation. And as president of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, individual and corporate prayer is a personal passion of Floyd’s.
“The more people grasp their own life and the lives of other people, the more they will be able to engage in communication with God effectively,” he said. “Being aware of yourself and the true health of your entire life will help you pray more effectively.
“Additionally, if you know how to think holistically, you’ll recognize areas of weakness in your life. This will give you matters to pray about related to your future. The healthier you are holistically, the more effective you will be in praying with and for others.”
Ultimately, Floyd wants Living Fit readers to live the fullest life they can to bring God glory here on earth, and best carry out His will.
B&H Publishing Group is a division of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Read more at SBC DIGEST: Ronnie Floyd writes on ‘Living Fit,’ Mary Mohler on ‘Growing in Gratitude’.
