EXERCISE

For bodily exercise profits little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.  1 Timothy 4:8 NKJV

Well…this is a good statement: “For bodily exercise profits little.”  In light of my healing nine months ago, PT is not part of my life, only walking is.  And only walking thirty to forty-five minutes four or five times a week.

I have not lifted a dumb bell in years, nor rode a bike and I have only been on a treadmill for a cardio test years ago.  However, I am feeding our large animals, spending time in the garden, house sitting for my children and doing what is needed at each home, and I am taking my turn at house chores.

This may seem like ordinary stuff, but to one who was chair bound, room bound, house bound, for almost five years – chores are a blessing because that means I can do them.

I was just telling my man last night that hanging stuff out on the line is one of my favorite things because it is so peaceful to me.  Being outside, listening to the animal sounds, whether farm, domestic or wild, feeling the weather, whether hot, windy, muggy.  And the crisp stiff towels at the end of the day – to me this all speaks of delight.

I know, I am weird, but when one is not able to do the mundane things of life, each new chore is a welcome blessing.

But the Apostle Paul was comparing exercise to godliness and the benefits of either.  Or the lack thereof.  No matter how much I work out, my life with Christ will not grow nor increase in fruitfulness.  Oh, there are things I can do while I am walking or choring to grow my relationship with God (prayer, worship, encouraging a friend, listening to a sermon) – bodily exercise is for the body.

Yes, I recognize our bodies are –

Do you not know that your bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought with a price.  Therefore honor God with your bodies.  1 Corinthians 6:20  NIV

Our bodies house the very part of the Trinity who comforts us, convicts us and leads us into all Truth.  This is the more important matter.  This is what I believe Paul was addressing.  He was pointing us to the better way – the Christ Way.

So, how then can we exercise so our godliness is profitable?  It is not the physical exercise we typically think of, but rather the exercises we need to grow spiritually.  Things like praying, reading and studying Scripture, meditating on His Word, and even memorizing it.

Have you ever wanted a verse but could not remember its wording?  You have a general remembrance of the concept, but not the exact wording.  By having the Word embedded in our hearts, we are then able to bring it back to mind when we need it, and when others need it too.

As I have shared before, I love falling asleep unpacking a verse.  My favorite scenes from Scripture are ones with Jesus and His disciples.  I like to imagine them walking and talking, laughing and joking – being guys.  I can see the smile on Jesus’s face as He sees the boys just being themselves.  I like to imagine their conversations, which are not recorded for us in the gospels – we can be assured that not every word Jesus spoke is recorded for us.  As the Apostle John reminds us –

And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book, but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. 

John 20:30-31  NKJV

Pondering, thinking on, meditating on God’s Word draws us closer to Him and by being closer to Him, we grow in godliness.  Because we are near God, He is basically rubbing off of us.  We become more like Him.

Like being around our friends – we tend to become like the crowd we hang out with.  We have similar dress code, similar hobbies, similar likes and dislikes.

So, let’s spend more time with God, instead of the latest exercise routine.  Or better yet, use our time wisely as we do our choring, walking, anything.  We are to have God in every aspect of our lives, including exercise.

PRAYER

Father, thank You so much for giving us stuff to do. Stuff to increase our relationship with You which leads to godliness and thank You for giving us the example in You Son - because He is perfect. May we strive to follow in His steps as we exercise in our daily walk with You, not neglecting this vital means of growth. You are worth my time and effort. And I give myself to You, daily.