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Writer's pictureBryce Johnson

Enjoying the Benefits of Voluntary Workouts

Football is a tough sport and a big commitment for players. Players must keep their bodies in shape, endure continuous pounding from countless hits, study in-depth playbooks, and diligently practice during the offseason. This especially requires self-discipline, effort, and intentionality when a workout isn't mandatory.

According to NFL.com“All 32 teams are entitled to a nine-week voluntary offseason program. Phase one covers the first two weeks with activities limited to meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehab only.”

As part of an agreement between the players and the owners, players are not required to participate in certain activities this time of year because they’re considered “voluntary workouts.”

Normally, many players still end up joining their teammates for in-person “voluntary workouts,” so they can establish team chemistry, improve their skills, develop and grow as players, spend time with coaches, and demonstrate their commitment to the team.

 Oftentimes, there are also other benefits, bonuses, and rewards for players who show up when they don’t have to.

Each player has been given the freedom to choose whether or not to attend “voluntary workouts” and those who are securely on the team aren’t in jeopardy of losing their spot if they don’t attend.

Those who voluntarily show up to these nonmandatory workouts will take full advantage of the growth opportunities and dedicated time with their coach, while the ones who pass, will miss out on the help that’s available to them during the offseason.

When it comes to our own lives as followers of Jesus, we live in freedom because of God’s grace and the gift of salvation. We are securely on His team because of our faith in Jesus and His finished work on the cross, and our spot isn't based on our attendance at “voluntary workouts.”

However, as we live on earth as members of God’s team, He invites us to participate in “voluntary workouts” that aren’t mandatory to keep our salvation and eternal life with Him. They're made available to know Him better, become more like Him, develop our faith, establish team chemistry, and demonstrate our commitment to Him.

We can consider “voluntary workouts” as fellowship with other believers, corporate worship, serving at church, praying, meditating on Scripture, studying God’s Word, and fasting. God invites us to get to know Him deeply as we seek Him through these different ways.

 The “voluntary workouts” or spiritual disciplines that we can choose to take full advantage of are considered growth opportunities. They are dedicated time with our coach and teammates filled with benefits, bonuses, and rewards for those who show up - even though they’re not required. They do take self-discipline, grace-driven effort, and intentionality as we train to become more like Jesus.

1 Timothy 4:8 (NLT) tells us, “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”

The reality is that if an NFL player loves football, he does whatever he can to be part of the sport and is involved in practice so he can enhance his game. He knows he doesn’t necessarily have to, but he gets to and wants to because that’s what football players do.

Likewise, if we love God and desire to follow Jesus, then we want to do what’s going to enhance our faith and help us become more like Him. Ultimately, it's God who empowers us and does the transforming work in us.

Paul shares this encouragement in Phillipians 2:12-13 (AMP): “…continue to work out your salvation with awe-inspired fear and trembling .

“For it is God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

Today, let’s voluntarily work out our salvation by relying on the Lord, pursuing Him, serving Him, representing Him, and practicing the spiritual disciplines He invites us to freely participate in.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for saving me and giving me new life. I pray I’d freely and willingly continue to seek You and participate in everything You have available for me to grow and know You better. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Discussion Questions for PACKS:

  1. What is your perspective on spiritual disciplines like reading or fasting or other "voluntary workouts?"

  2. What holds you back from participating in these growth opportunities?

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