Power Source

Spiritual Skill: Humanity (wk. 5/13)

Reading: 1 John 4:7-21

Love that Lifts: How God’s Love Transforms Us

“You don’t change your body by accident. You change it by hard work. Hard work is easier when others work hard alongside you. Therefore, don’t just look inward for resolve – look outward too.”

That quote – or something very close to it – was on the wall of a CrossFit gym I visited on a recent business trip. I’ve been doing CrossFit with some of the same people at the same gym for more than five years, and I echo that quote – I can attest to how important they have become in my own level of fitness.

Having someone outside of me who believes in me and holds me accountable has encouraged me to tackle fitness efforts that five years ago seemed way beyond me.

Our spiritual lives aren’t all that different

In 1 John 4:19, the Apostle John wrote, “We love because He first loved us.” It’s simple, profound, and powerful. In our spiritual lives, God’s love is the starting point – not our effort, not our grit, and certainly not our perfection. It’s his initiative, his grace, and his relentless love that allows us to develop a new way of life. Just like no one hits a PR without first showing up and putting in the work, no one truly loves without first being loved by God.

Let’s be honest – our default settings are self-focus, comparison, and insecurity. Without the confidence of God’s love, we can naturally move “against the grain” of how our souls were designed, chasing validation through performance or aesthetics. We flex in front of mirrors, scroll for likes, and measure worth in macros and muscle-ups.

But God flipped the script

When you and I understand that God loved us first – before we got it right, before we “got our act together” – it fundamentally changes who we are and how we live. His love doesn’t wait for us to be “fit” enough for him. He takes us as we are and calls us into something greater. It is kind of like my experience the first day at the gym for a class: I showed up not knowing a ring-row from a pull-up, but my CrossFit community welcomed me and encouraged me along the way.

God’s love is the ultimate fuel. It’s what strengthens us to forgive, to serve, and to press on when life – and workouts – feel heavy. His love becomes our base layer – the spiritual core that helps us encourage others when they’re weak, give when it costs something, and love even when it’s hard.

And just like training isn’t a one-time thing, neither is receiving God’s love. We need consistent reps in his word, regular connection with his people, and honest moments with him in prayer. Spiritual fitness – just like physical fitness – is both a journey and a destination.

So, whether you’re trying to cut time off your repeat 400s or cut away the pride that’s keeping you from apologizing—know this: God’s love is the power source. It’s the force that lifts, restores, and makes us new. Let him love you first. And then go love like him.

Questions for Reflection:

In what ways have you been trying to “earn” love – whether from God or others – instead of receiving it freely?

How would your life look different if you truly believed you were fully loved by God?

What are some practical ways you can reflect God’s love to your fitness community this week?