I love to exercise. Do I on a regular basis? No.
Growing up I had no choice but to be outside either playing with friends, biking, playing sports (I had three brothers, what do you expect), cheerleading, clogging, softball, or working out in the barn, field, or with my steer. Daily physical exertion was just a part of life.
In college, I can clearly visualize my cousin, April, and I pushing in the video tape to work out with Jane Fonda or Buns of Steel. There were times we probably looked like scenes from the movie “Flashdance” (the original one) with our leg warmers. What a hoot! But we wanted to stay in shape.
When Tim and I moved away for three years to the tourist trap of America, Kissimmee (Disney World town), I was plugged into the local YMCA. Heck, I was even on their exhibition step-aerobics team and performed at different locations to promote the Y. In our third and final year living there I was nine months pregnant with my first child bebopping up and down the step to stay in shape. (I bet that was a fun sight to see.)
After my third and final child, I believe I was in the best shape of my adult life. The doctors gave me the “Okay” for exercising at my six week checkup. I was at the YMCA at least three times a week, and there were many of strolls around the neighborhood keeping up with an active five year old boy, a busy three year old daughter, and a newborn baby. I was tone!
Now? Well….if you consider walking around students’ tables for six fifty minute class periods, squatting down to assist kids with their work, making the hike from my classroom to the office a few times a day, then cleaning my home daily all exercise, then I’m good.
I really do still love to exercise, but I’m not regular in the physical exercising department. I am definitely consistent in the spiritual exercising department though.
In 1 Timothy 4:8 we read, “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
Okay, you know I’m going to throw in The Message translation on this one:
- “ Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever.”
No spiritual flabbiness, PLEASE!
Working out your physical body is definitely important and beneficial. But don’t neglect your spiritual self the way I’ve done my physical self. Open up a biblically based devotional and your bible daily, talk to God (pray) regularly throughout your day, and don’t be ashamed of Him and keep God’s goodness to yourself, share His love with others.
I believe I’m going to take advantage of the cooler weather that we are going to get next week and restart my walking routine either around the neighborhood or on our newly purchase treadmill. Will you join me in a routine of starting either (or both) a physical and spiritual time of exertion? Remember that the spiritual disciplined life will make you fit for today and forever.
Let’s go walking. In the cool air and in The Word.
Blessings to you.
October 26, “Walking in the Word”