1 Timothy 4:8

I know I've been talking to some friends and family recently about the benefits of exercise and the importance of eating healthy. So I was out this morning practising what I preach (haha), on my regular run when God began to impress something upon my heart.

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.

I love how the Apostle Paul often writes in terms of running and training. Like this passage from 1 Corinthians, chapter 9:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

He speaks like one who knows what it is like to train the body. He knows the pain and the sweat. He knows the value of it. However, he knows that in spite of its great value, it is of so little value or significance in comparison to a godly life and running this race of life well, being careful not to be disqualified.

So, I could run and beat my body to run more, run faster, get stronger. But when I die, the truth is that without a right relationship with Jesus, everything I did will have no value. But all the time I invest in my spiritual fitness will serve me well both in this life and in the life to come. Now I'm not saying let's throw in the towel then and stop exercising and eating healthy because it has no eternal significance. No. The Bible also tells us not to be lazy or a glutton and that the body is the temple of God. We are responsible for nourishing it and maintaining its health. But my prayer today is that I would sow a little more in my spiritual fitness than in my physical fitness. That while I take care of the perishable, I will take greater care of the imperishable so that when I'm at the end of this race, He will say "well done, faithful servant".