Unhealthy Healthiness

READ: MATTHEW 6:19-33; COLOSSIANS 3:2-4

I don’t mean to brag, but I’ve had a six-pack (abs, not sodas) on and off for about twenty years. Exercise has become part of my lifestyle. But something I realized about ten years ago was that my weight training had become an obsession. It slowly moved from low priority, to medium priority, to high priority, and finally to, “Life, get out of the way, because I’m working out no matter what!”

This is called an obsession. Even if you don’t work out, I’m still talking to you because obsessions come in many forms.

My obsession may have been about health, but it wasn’t healthy. You see, an obsession is when something takes God’s place as the decision-maker for all other areas of your life—rather than Christ being at the center of all of your decisions. Obsessions can be about anything: appearances, video games, sports, clothes, relationships, etc. Schoolwork can even become an obsession. (No, you don’t get to skip homework tonight.)

The bottom line is this: What do you place your identity in—Christ or something else? Is belonging to Jesus and His kingdom the central reason behind everything you do? If Christ is not your identity, then your life is built on sand (Matthew 7:21-29).

Sure, your obsession may not be about an evil thing, but it can become evil when you believe the lie that it can ultimately satisfy you. Hope, identity, and satisfaction are only found in the Person and work of Jesus Christ (Psalm 107:9; John 14:6; 1 Peter 1:3). • David Shorts

• What obsessions have taken the place of Jesus and His kingdom in your decision-making?

• How can you honor Christ in the activities you enjoy without placing your identity in them?

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)