“How much time do you really dedicate to your health and wellbeing? In a recent survey conducted by Myprotein covering 1,170 Americans aged 18-65, the results show how much time men, women, and different age groups really spend keeping fit and healthy.”
- Americans spend 11.7 hours per week on their health & fitness regime – that’s 25 solid days every year!
- People spend more time working out than they do socializing with their friends (7.6 vs 4.5 hours per week)
- 42% of millennials will post a gym or fitness pic on Instagram every week!
- Women spend 88 minutes every week styling, shooting, and editing a fitness pic for Instagram
- Young adults (18-34 years old) are the largest age group who frequent the gym at 60.60%. This is followed by the 35 to 54 age group at 30.70% (IHRSA, 2020).
- People aged 55 or older make up 22.3% of gym members (IBIS World, 2020)
- Meanwhile, members under 18 years of age make up 16.10% (IHRSA, 2020).
“In Biblical times, Ancient Romans played a variety of sports which included both indoor and outdoor sports. Rome also took various sports from Ancient Greece and changed their ritualistic nature into a display of physical strength and endurance. The wealthy Romans had large playing fields and structures known as gymnasia and palaestrae in their villas. The sports were often played at these places since it was considered a status symbol for the rich. Eventually, the patronage of the empire for sports came about in the era of Emperor Nero when the first public gymnasium was built, followed by giant amphitheaters. With the passage of time, violent sports and large amphitheaters became one of the symbols of Roman power.” Chronicles and legends
In the New Testament writings of the Apostle Paul, he wrote to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NKJV)-7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.8 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. He doesn’t discount the need for bodily exercise but emphasizes spiritual exercise. To exercise ourselves towards godliness. The Greek word for exercise is gymnasia (gumnazo); training, i.e. (figurative) asceticism:- exercise. Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary. It is where we get the word gym from. You probably guessed that right?
We as Americans focus a lot on our bodies. We spend money and time to feel and look better. We are also seeing the need for mental well-being. Coming out of the Covid-19 season, many were depressed, suicidal, lonely, and isolated due to the lockdowns. Under the current Administration, things are not much better. The cost of living, economy, inflation, illegal immigration, a woke progressive culture, Anti-semitism, and political corruption weigh heavily on people’s hearts and minds. Mental wellness is a concern today. I am encouraged though to hear that God is moving by His Spirit. Wonderful testimonies of revival are happening around the country, even on college campuses. Many are saying we are at the start of another “Great Awakening.” I’m also encouraged to see a movement of righteousness and truth in culture and politics. People are getting back to God and the Church.
Is it the worst and best of times?
The Apostle Paul is giving a young pastor Timothy some wise counsel. What is important in the long run? What will make a difference in people’s lives? What will have the greater influence, impact, and cause a greater change? Hey, Timothy use can go to the gym but most importantly exercise yourself towards godliness. The Apostle Peter exhorts us to add to our faith: 2 Peter 1:5-8 (KJV)-5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
How much time do you spend in God’s Gym? How much time do you exercise yourself towards godliness? When it comes to working out in a gym, or training for a competition what does it require? We could all agree it takes time, money, focus, willingness, determination, self-control, discipline, energy, and support. Before I came to Christ I gave a lot of my time to playing tennis. It is one of my favorite things to do. If you want to be good at something you got to put the time into it. I played with people better than me to get better. I still play tennis but I also by God’s grace train towards godliness. How much time do you spend in spiritual training or exercise? Such as reading the Bible, praying, witnessing, fellowshiping with other believers, discipling someone, attending Church, and reaching out to those in need. I know we can all do better in these areas. The most important thing is that our heart needs to be in it. We simply just can’t go through the motions.
The writer of Hebrews tells us we are in a race-Hebrews 12:1 (KJV)-1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, The witnesses are those who have gone to heaven before us that cheer us on. It’s not just the people on Facebook, “X”, Instagram, etc. He encourages us to lay aside every weight and the sin, the sin of unbelief. The weights can be burdens, traditions of men, or anything that hinders our walk with God. It doesn’t necessarily have to be an outright sin. In our hearts, we know what it is most of the time. He tells us to run with patience or endurance. I believe that we give up too soon. We get weary and tired and we throw in the towel. We need to look to Christ and all that he endured for us, lest we faint. If he achieved victory we can too!
The Apostle Paul loves to use metaphors in relating spiritual truths. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NKJV)-24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. We are not exempt from running the race before us. God wants us to obtain, to receive the outcome of our salvation. To receive all that He has promised us in Christ. (2 Cor 1:20). That we run with certainty, with focus, not haphazardly. not without purpose. It requires discipline when it comes to our bodies. He tells us to learn to bring our body into subjection-to tell our body what to do and not allow it to tell us what to do. We get disqualified when we cheat, when we don’t obey the rules, or when we lack discipline. Apostle Paul is not talking about losing our salvation. He is talking about being fruitful and having a positive spiritual impact on others. Another thing about running in a race is that you can’t keep looking behind you, and you can’t worry or focus on the other runners. That will just distract you and slow you up. You must take responsibility for your own race.
The best thing to say most of the time is–“NO”!
I have written before that to be a true disciple of the Lord we need to be hearers and doers of the Word of God. We need to daily abide in God’s Word. Matthew 4:4 (KJV)-4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. What I love about David in the Bible is his hunger and love for God. We see it in the Psalms. We see it in his worship. We see it in the songs he wrote. The Bible testifies that he was a man after God’s own heart. Isn’t that what you want?
How about you? Is it time to get back to the gym?
Is it time to let go of some unnecessary weight, to let go of unbelief, and to press into God and His Word? To exercise ourselves towards godliness. We prioritize what is important to us. Here is the promise: 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. Do you know godliness can influence every area of our lives, Where we work, our relationships, our marriages, and with our children? Godliness is righteousness in action. It is doing the right thing morally and spiritually. It is walking in the light, walking in integrity and honesty. Avoiding lies and deception. Being free from bitterness and unforgiveness!
Godliness is profitable for all things not unprofitable.
Godliness is the true prosperity of the heart. The focus on the inward life is more important than the outward life of the body. What good is it to win a marathon and get disqualified because you cheated, and took enhancing drugs? So today think about the race you are in. Think about those that are encouraging you as you run. Think about the example you can be to others. It is not a time to quit and give up no matter what it looks like. It is worth the effort, the time, the sacrifices, and the discipline. This is Apostles Paul’s testimony and it can be yours.2 Timothy 4:7 (AMP)-7 I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith.
Where are you in your race? Have you allowed circumstances or someone to cut you off in your race? Time to get back in!
In Christ’s Love;
Brent and Linda
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