Exercise - A necessary ‘evil’?

The word ‘exercise’ is never used in the Bible to describe physical exertion. Coincidence? I don’t think so….

Seriously, the Bible doesn’t use the word ‘exercise’ with that meaning in mind; however, it is not silent about keeping ourselves physically fit:

1 Corinthians 9:25-27 - 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. (NIV)

 2 Samuel 22:35 - He trains my hands for battle;
       my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

There are instances throughout Scripture where people are called to be in training, either mentally, spiritually, or physically. Why?  It is through this training that we gain knowledge (mental); that we gain strength (physical); and that we become more like Christ (spiritual).  In each of these, ‘training’ is defined as ‘activity leading to skilled behavior.’  Through training, physical or otherwise, we become more proficient at whatever it is we’re training for.

So why train physically? What’s the point of getting all sweaty and tired, only to turn around and do it again the next day, and the next, and the next?  For me, it’s really tied to what I talked about in my last post - if God calls me to treat my body as the temple in which He resides (1 Corinthians 6:19), it’s my responsibility to do whatever I can to make my body a temple in which God is honored to reside.

 Am I there yet? By no means, not at all! However, the fact that I’m aware of this was the first step to moving toward better health. I know now that it’s an area of my life that for too long was neglected, and so I’m doing some catching up now. Most importantly, though, God is calling me to be obedient to Him - not to exercise so that I can worship what He’s created, or so that I can be worshipped, but so that I can offer my body as a living sacrifice to Him.

So what practical advice can I give in how to accomplish this?  That, my friends, is a question whose answer will take up more than this this single post, but I will share some of what’s worked for me, and I’ll for you to provide some ideas as well.