No, not beer, abs. I work out daily and just joined a gym, as well, so I was thinking that in this new year it would be challenging to set a goal to develop six pack abs. I have begun to work on it, and have seen some encouraging results in the first few days. Well, actually not so much seen as felt. I hurt in the right places. It feels like a goal that is very hard work but reachable.

Then it hit me — what would a SPIRITUAL SIX PACK be for me? And if I put focused effort into that, would I be able to see and feel real results there, as well?

For you it will be a bit different, but for me here is what the spiritual six pack would include:

1. Being in the scriptures daily
2. Practicing the presence of God, praying and listening to him throughout the day, remembering that I’m in union with Christ, in fellowship of the Trinity, and called to my unique role in God’s story rather than my own
3. Making disciples constantly (from non-belief to belief to maturity to leadership)
4. Serving the poor in a tangible way
5. Experiencing and communicating joy constantly
6. Serving my wife with abandon, helping her meet her deepest desires and serving others in and through my profession with abandon, regardless of the tangible rewards

As I look over this list, first of all it energizes me a great deal. These things are very personal to me based on what God seems to have been saying to me over the past few months. Also, it also seems to be extremely hard, but doable. But it’s going to take a plan, hard work, and some accountability. In some areas I’m already on track. In others I’m not out of the block.

What would YOUR spiritual six pack look like?