“… and exercise yourself toward godliness.” 1 Timothy 4:7
Ready, Set, Go!
I was once a runner. I loved running. I was not good at running, but I found pleasure in being outdoors, traveling along trails beside rivers, sweating, pushing myself farther than I thought I could go. I had a sense of accomplishment with every mile completed and every 10K finish line crossed. I stapled my race bibs inside the walls of my garage. They were my trophies and my crowns. Once I even won an apple pie for being the fastest in my age group.
Running was good for me. It made me healthier physically as my body rose to each challenge. It made me better emotionally as I found peace and contentment in a solitary run. Running even made me stronger spiritually because often the Spirit would speak to my soul as my legs pumped along and my lungs gasped for oxygen.
I loved running even though I was a plodder. I comforted myself with the thought that I was faster than those who never laced up their shoes and headed out the door. I was quicker and had better form than those still in their recliner or stretched out on the couch. I just loved to run for the sheer joy of running.
I know others who religiously go to the gym. They have muscles in places that I don’t even have places. Others do yoga, or Pilates, or Zumba. Some ride bicycles long distances or compete in races. All these practice a regimen of physical exercise. Keeping ourselves in good physical condition is a healthy thing to do. We will be stronger, have more endurance and more energy. We will look better and we will feel better.
But in today’s verse, Timothy exhorts us to exercise ourselves toward godliness. “For bodily exercise profits a 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).
The dictionary says exercise is something practiced or performed in order to develop, improve, or display a specific capability or skill. Exercise requires an intention to practice, to take action, to consistently work at getting better.
As true believers, we need to be intentional about the things of God. We should be practicing prayer. We should show up at church way more regularly than we show up at the gym. Our skills at loving and forgiving and speaking in kindness should show improvement. We need to invest time in the Word to receive coaching and inspiration. We need to flex our muscles as we practice the spiritual gifts we have been given. We need to push ourselves farther than we think we can go. And that’s called faith.
Our present lives will be enhanced as we exercise godliness. We will feel the joy of His pleasure in us. We will walk with a surer step, pray with more passion, and live our lives more abundantly. And when we stand before Him in that Day, we will receive more than can be imagined. It will be better than race bibs on a garage wall or even an apple pie. Run well, sisters.
“Father, You are worthy of our intention to know You in ever deeper and richer ways. You command our attention and our hearts. We are Yours. Train us in Your ways. Amen.”
No coincidence that our small group was talking about this verse last night! Thank you!
I needed to hear this today. I’m getting ready to exercise this morning. I’m going to apply the same principles to my spiritual disciplines.
Love!
Amen!
Thank you for sharing this…fantastic!
As a former runner and now cyclist, I related to so much of your story. Most importantly, I was convicted of my “lack” spiritual discipline. Thank you for reminding us what “really” is important.
I have a praise report: Probably like most of you, I pray everyday; well unless on occasion my schedule gets interrupted (that’s a bummer), for my siblings, my children, my parents, and my grandchildren. I made this decision to be serious about daily prayer for all of them over a year ago. I’m praying for intervention in their lives daily, for salvation, fr physical healings, and for church attendance. Nothing new, right? About 3 weeks ago, on a Saturday night, I invited one sister to come to church with me citing that my husband would be out of town and I would be going alone. Long story short she showed up the next morning to go with me. Praise God! I prayed the whole way thanking God for this day and trusting that He already had everything pre planned for her visit. I did not have enough faith afterward to ask her how she liked the service. I was afraid I would not have the proper response to whatever she might throw out. Total lack of faith on my part. Any how, we enjoy being together that morning and she goes home. No comments about it from her. Until last Sunday, father’s day at Mom and Dad’s. Most all of our family was together. This sister commented that her grandson told her earlier in the week that his father (divorced from his mother) told him he needed to be baptized. Neither the grandson nor the dad go to church, so not sure what prompted that comment. The grandson has probably never set foot in a church. Then, there was the question of what baptism is. Discussion ensued. My other sister had the opportunity to explain so perfectly. This sister with the grandson issue, then commented she wanted to bring the grandson and start going to church. Hallelujah!!!! PTL. I am still praying daily for her and now her grandson too that they will come and she will rededicate her life to God.
I hope I’ve not misused this comment area, but I just had to share this.
Not at all. We always want to encourage one another with testimony of God’s great works! Thank you for sharing.
Always love encouragement from the Devos AND the comments. Thank you Jesus!!