Without a doubt, we need physical activity in our lives to maintain optimal vitality and health. In fact, in order to be healthy-not to be in shape, only to be healthy- we need to do some sort of physical activity for at least thirty minutes three to five times per week. Studies show that exercise helps defeat heart disease and diabetes. We were created to be active!
So here is my recommendation for exercise that I know you have just been dying to hear: you need to intentionally work out at least three times per week! Allow me to define work out for you. It’s not that hard I promise! Running, walking, swimming, climbing stairs, intense gardening, dancing, aerobics, a work out class, biking, any form of sports, etc. constitutes working out. The opportunities truly are endless! It’s radiant outside right now. Not too hot, not too cold, sun shining bright, so go ahead and get to exercising! If anyone has any inspiring words for exercise, please comment! I know it sounds silly to put so much emphasis on exercise, but for just a small task, it has ENORMOUS health benefits!
Another aspect of exercise is training. We train our bodies to be able to accomplish certain physical tasks. For example, I have danced for fifteen years of my life, and at the end of high school, I was able to dance spectacularly because I had trained my body in that manner. Another example is training for a marathon. Some of my good friends just ran the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. Now, that is something that you cannot just wake up and do! It takes months and months of diligent preparation and faithful practicing. I could not just pick up a baseball bat and play for the OU baseball team, but I would need to train my body to act in that way. Or, I could not just appear at the Olympics and compete. No, it takes a lifetime of training.
Right now I am reading through the Thessalonians and Timothys in the New Testament with my two best friends from home. The other day I found this verse, and it literally blew me away: 1 Timothy 4:7-8 “Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
Take a moment to re-read this passage and pray that the Holy Spirit will truly speak to you right in this moment. For me, this verse is so profound because I have found bodily exercise to be of great value. It relieves my stress, keeps me looking fit, allows me to bond with my friends, and is pleasurable to me. If I am reaping such rewards from exercise, HOW MUCH MORE will I gain from exercising godliness. If I allot time every day to work out, I need to set aside even more time for the Lord. It says so clearly that godliness is of value in every way. Therefore, we need to live in such a way that declares this statement.
In the book Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges, he redefines godliness in a truly touching way by saying that UNgodliness is “living one’s everyday life with little or no thought of God, or of God’s will, or of God’s glory, or of one’s dependence on God.” We are called to train ourselves to constantly abide in the Lord, on His will, on His unmistakable glory, and on just how much we need Him. How, then, can we obtain this goal?
Just as you cannot run a marathon after only training to run one mile, you cannot become godly by reading the Bible one time! How can we get to the point of ONLY having the Lord on our minds? Of having no other thoughts but to do the will of the Lord? Of continually praising Him for His glory? Little by little. It may seem overwhelming to think of yourself matching this standard, but that’s the beauty of God’s grace! He WANTS and deeply desires for you to be godly.
Little by little. It starts now. It starts by reading your Bible every single day, always thirsting for more. It starts by sectioning off a time in your day to pray and praise Him. It starts by serving your friends and the people all around you. Just as exercising makes us physically stronger, investing more time in the Lord makes us spiritually stronger. And as you spend more time with the Lord, His fire will consume your heart to make you crave Him more and more, just as we do exercise when it has become part of life.
Bodily training is of some value. In fact, it will assuredly improve your health! But godliness is of a value that does not even begin to compare to exercise. So, I urge you, my brothers and sisters, train yourself for godliness. I know exercise is the craze right now, especially in a college town like Norman! Every one I know works out! What if everyone worked out spiritually? Would not a spiritual revolution develop? It starts with you. I would love to hear how you personally feel that we can do this!
Once again, thank you for reading my blog! I simply adore writing, and I still can’t believe that people actually read what I’m writing. I know that God has such a profound purpose in this, and I love being part of this journey! If you would like to know anything about a particular health topic, I’d love to write a post about something of your interest!
I loved what you said about ungodliness being not thinking of God throughout the day or living like we know their is a sovereign, righteous, and holy God on the throne in heaven, So often we get consumed with our schedules, appointments, and friends we forget that life really is all about him and living for his glory. I am so guilty. So thanks for sharing on this aspect of godliness which means attuning your heart and mind to Jesus and living in the knowledge and hope of his awesomeness!!!
That is so true… Exercising IS the craze right now. I am a personal trainer and because of so many sessions training people with just the physical aspect as well as secular music, leaves much to desire.
I am working (with God) on starting a Christian foundation that focuses on our physical health through biblical support. Check out my website and try to spread the word..
Let’s put together the physical and spiritual training!
Great insight about exercising godliness. I think it is critically important for us to remember that our spiritual “fitness” comes with time. God allows us seasons of unrest, periods of persecution, and tempting trials to increase our fitness, endurance, and stamina.
Wow Zandi that was awesome and so encouraging as always! This makes me so excited to exercise my body as well as my spirit. I love what you said about training ourselves spiritually because there are those spiritual marathons that we can be working now to prepare for… such as the one we talked about last night at classics.. haha love you! Keep it up because your awesome!
I loved what you said about ungodliness being not thinking of God throughout the day or living like we know their is a sovereign, righteous, and holy God on the throne in heaven, So often we get consumed with our schedules, appointments, and friends we forget that life really is all about him and living for his glory. I am so guilty. So thanks for sharing on this aspect of godliness which means attuning your heart and mind to Jesus and living in the knowledge and hope of his awesomeness!!!
Excellent points! While most of us realize that we should exercise our bodies more, we seldom realize that we need to train spiritually. We neglect to intentionally live the Christian life. Just like living healthy lifestyles doesn’t happen by accident, spiritual growth and following God’s will doesn’t happen accidently, either. We must be intentional in all that we do.
Love you!