Undaunted.Life: A Man's DevotionalSample

PHYSICAL, Day 4: Fit for the Cross

Rich Froning is the “Fittest Man on Earth.” At least, that is what they call you when you win one of the most grueling and demanding physical competitions the world has to offer: the CrossFit Games.

CrossFit is an exercise phenomenon that has taken the world by storm. The workouts are defined by cramming as much intense functional movement into as short a period of time as possible. In a way, the spread of CrossFit has changed the face and focus of personal exercise, strength, conditioning, and health for athletes and non-athletes all over the world.

Every year, the fittest of the fit from the CrossFit community come together to compete at the CrossFit Games to see who is top dog. Froning won the CrossFit Games an incredible four times in a row from 2011 to 2014 before he retired from individual competition in 2015. He is a legend within the CrossFit community, and he is held in the same regard as many of the fittest professional athletes in history.

So, what does the Fittest Man on Earth think about his physical accomplishments and accolades?

They are worth nothing compared to Christ.

Froning came to this realization after coming in second at his first CrossFit Games in 2010. It was a tremendous disappointment to him, and he had to figure out why that was. He quickly came to realize that he had put CrossFit and his physical accomplishments on a pedestal. Essentially, his priorities were out of whack. That is when he came across Galatians 6:14:

“But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (ESV)

That verse became his anchor point. He even tattooed the verse on his torso to serve as a reminder for how fleeting his bodily accomplishments are when compared to the work Christ did on the cross. In this verse, Paul is saying that the whole of the world and its entire splendor is not appealing to him. Furthermore, because he serves Christ, the longings and yearnings of this world are futile to him.

Effectively, Froning has refocused his physical competitiveness to show glory to God. His aim is to divert the eyes of his fans and admirers off of himself and towards Jesus. He knows that at any moment his physical health and prowess can be taken from him, and he knows that it would be devastating to him if not for his faith in Christ. He is not fit for himself. He is fit for and because of the cross.

Do you see your fitness as a way to glorify Christ? How can your level of fitness serve as a witness to non-believers?