Anyone who has a new smartwatch or activity tracker knows that it can be used as a step counter or pedometer. Most come with a default setting to count out ten thousand steps, although some recent studies show that you might need far fewer steps to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I am not a healthcare professional, so the metric of ten thousand steps seems reasonable for a healthy lifestyle. At least it is something to aim for, even if you don’t consistently achieve it.
We must ask ourselves, what is the goal? Is the goal to be more active? Or is the goal to achieve 10,000 steps? If the goal is to be more active, then I recognize the wisdom of enjoying the process and won’t become fixated on the superficial target. If the goal is to arrive at 10,000 steps, I will rigidly walk in place to achieve that goal, which might improve my overall health, even though it might not be as enjoyable.
Sometimes, I forget to wear my watch when I wake up to walk our dogs. Do my steps not count? If there is no record of my steps, then what is the point of exercise? But if I know the purpose is to be active, then getting out and walking is the goal, and I don’t need to worry about how many steps I have taken.
This is precisely Jesus’ point when he discusses spiritual disciplines in the Sermon on the Mount. We have missed the point if our religion is about getting credit for a particular practice or observance. If we recognize that these disciplines are to draw me closer to God, then through their observances, I achieve my purpose.
Matthew 6:1-4, 16-18 ESV – “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. … 16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.“
Notice that Jesus does not say, don’t fast or give to the disadvantaged. He doesn’t say practicing righteousness is trivial or frivolous. He does say that when we put into practice our desire to draw near to God, not to do it for others. It is not so that a record will be kept of our faithful compliances; it is not to remain a card-carrying member of Dutiful Believers Club. It is so I let go of myself and become more like Christ.
Jesus informs his followers that the reward will come from God. However, like gaining 10,000 steps, the reward is not a sense of accomplishment but rather an improved lifestyle or healthier heart. Following Christ is not solely about the reward (although great) it is about having a faithful lifestyle and a more complete heart.
I have realized that if I only meet with the body of Christ to check a box or meet a quota, I leave feeling empty and drained. But if I am going to sing praises to God, pray in community, encourage my church family, rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep, then I become more complete. It all comes down to why you are taking the 10,000 steps.