The Everyday Things – Health and Fitness

"I wrestle solely for the strength and coordination of muscle tone that the body receives while working out, with the ultimate end that of presenting a more useful body as a living sacrifice. This God knows, and even though He chose to allow it to be strained, the motive was for His glory and the faith he honors. Simplicity of heart and freedom from anxiety He expects of us, and he gives us grace to have both."
Through Gates of Splendor, p7

Taking care of your body should be done with the motive of honouring God, and being a good steward of what He has given us. Being fit and healthy will enable us to be more effective in God's work throughout our lives. It can also release us from so many unnecessary health burdens such as obesity, depression and lethargy, which will no doubt hinder us in all we do. Jesus himself would never have survived the flogging he received before crucifixion if he wasn't so physically fit.

I suppose I always struggle with niggling doubts about spending too much time at the gym. And the issue is time. Anything that eats away hours every day could be painfully distracting from your walk with Jesus. Which leads to this – a verse for the gym rat:

"Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."
1 Timothy 4:10

A physically fit body does have value, and should be pursued, but godliness is eternal in nature. There's something of eternal significance with every minute spent in the bible, in prayer, in meditation. However dedicated you are to the gym, be a thousand times more dedicated to Jesus.