Mile 909.9/1000.
What is good, my friends?
Out on my 1000 Mile Walk with God today. And can we just take a second? 909.9 miles. We are officially over 900, and I’m actually more than 100 miles ahead of schedule. That feels like a big deal. At this point, I’m close enough to the finish line that my shoes should probably start playing inspirational movie music every time I put them on. Or maybe my socks should start glowing. New B.O.M.Socks product idea, maybe like the Jaredite barge stones. Seems reasonable, right?
Anyway, last week I did something that needs to be done every once in a while: I got some blood work done. I wear an Oura ring because I’m trying to pay better attention to my health. It tracks sleep, exercise, and recovery, and it gives me a readiness score each morning. This morning mine was 82, which I took as: “Not bad, Derek. Proceed carefully, but you may continue.”
Recently, Oura offered a blood panel for a pretty good deal, so I went in and had eight vials of blood drawn. Always a delightful little field trip. This morning, I got the results back: fifty different health markers. For the most part, things looked pretty good. Some areas were improving, which was encouraging. And a few areas were more like, “Hey… pay attention here.” Nothing dramatic. Just helpful.
As I was looking through it, I had this thought: wouldn’t it be interesting if we could get a spiritual panel like that? Scripture study: looking pretty good. Prayer: could use some attention. Temple worship: trending well. Recent General Conference follow-ups: not bad. Family connection: maybe strengthen this. Forgiveness: let’s not ignore that one.
Obviously, I know that’s not exactly how spirituality works. God isn’t sending us a spiritual readiness score every morning, although honestly, part of me would be curious. But I do think He gives us something much better than a dashboard. He gives us the Holy Ghost.
And the Holy Ghost can help us see what needs attention. Not in a condemning or “you’re failing” way. More like: “Pay attention here.” “Slow down here.” “Strengthen this.” “Spend more time with Me.” “Reconnect with them.” “Let that go.” “Come back to what matters.”
One thing I’ve learned with health is that a marker can be off even when you feel fine. That’s part of why blood work can be helpful. It can show you something beneath the surface. And I think the same thing can happen spiritually. Life can look pretty good on the outside. You can be busy, productive, going to church, reading scriptures, doing all the good checklisty things, and still, underneath, your spirit may need proper nourishment. Our bodies need constant care. I believe our spirits do too.
So maybe the real spiritual checkup isn’t a score. Maybe it’s simply getting quiet enough to ask: Heavenly Father, how am I really doing? What needs attention? What am I not seeing? What would You have me strengthen right now? And then having the courage to listen, not with shame, but with faith.
Because God doesn’t show us what needs attention because He’s disappointed in us. He shows us because He loves us. He wants us whole, body and spirit.
So my little thought from today’s walk is this: Go get your Spirit checked. Get quiet. Ask God what needs strengthening. And then take the next faithful step.