Better Than A Marathon
Many First World countries are in a bit of a fitness frenzy. Exercise programs on television abound from the wee hours of the early morning until the midafternoon.
Fitness clubs of many varying types dot the landscapes of most cities and towns. Books and videos on diets and workouts reside on numerous shelves in stores and appear on computer screens linked to many sites.
One of the motivations behind these physical pursuits is to beat the aging process. Certainly, an improved quality of life is one benefit of working out, but many fitness programs play on our desire to live longer.
We are told that we can add years to our lives with faithful regimens of exercise, and studies do seem to show enhanced and longer years for the physically active.
Exercise has power.
This verse from 1 Timothy tells us that holiness is of even greater value. It tells us that the power of godliness impacts “all things.”
Perhaps the parallel between physical fitness and righteousness holds true when it comes to the working of muscles to maintain a desired state.
A physically fit person will lose his lean form if he neglects exercise. He may be in tip-top shape one day but finds his muscles turning to flab if he goes from playing football to watching it on television.
Spiritual fitness is subject to the same kind of buildup or deterioration. No matter how mature we may be, we need to practice the disciplines of the faith that build spiritual muscle.
Prayer, Bible reading, meditation, worship, and fellowship are some of the ways that we gain and maintain spiritual health.
This verse in 1 Timothy tells us that godliness pays off in big ways, even bigger than the physical benefits of exercise.
Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that we grow closer to God. By being with him and reading His Word, we enlarge our wisdom. That, in turn, leads to making better choices in all areas of our lives.
Our thinking becomes transformed as we grow spiritually. We see life from God’s perspective and not through the lens of ungodliness.
We are able to resist temptation because our discipline in being obedient to God is fine-tuned. And so we don’t suffer the consequences of falling to the wiles of the tempter.
Most of all, we become more like Jesus. We reflect his light in a dark world and touch others with the power of his love—truly the healthiest thing we can do.
Father, help us to work on both our physical bodies and our spiritual souls.