The ultimate exercise plan

Milton Berle poked fun at the exaggerated value that our culture places on exercise. 

He says, “I went to an open casket funeral the other day and a woman walked by and said,’He looks terrific.’ Another woman said, ‘Why shouldn’t he? He jogged every morning!” 

This story reminds us of a statement once made by Bernie S. Siegel, M.D. He said, “I have done the reseaerch and I hate to tell you, but everybody dies - lovers, joggers, vegetarins and non-smokers. I’m telling you this so that some of you who jog at 5 a.m. and eat vegetables will occasionally sleep late and have an ice-cream cone.” 

I do not think that Dr. Siegel  is suggesting that we stop loving, exercising, eating properly or avoid harmful habits like smoking. He is telling us with tongue and cheek what we know is true but so often seek to deny. We can jog, hike, bike, swim, curtail the caffeine, count the calories, and control the cholesterol (and we should). 

But physical fitness will prove unable to keep us young an alive forever.

The Apostle Paul describes the ultimate exercise plan in I Timothy 4:7-8. “But reject profane and old wives fables and exercise yourself toward godliness. 

For bodily exercise profits little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having a promise of the life that now is and that which is to come.” Bodily exercise leads to physical fitness; exercising ourselves in godliness leads to spiritual fitness! 

Bodily exercise leads to stronger muscles and a stronger heart, but exercising in godliness leads to a stronger faith and soul. Bodily exercise helps us live longer here, while exercising ourselves in godliness leads to eternal life. Are you involved in God’s ultimate exercise plan?

Larry Jackson-Minister