The Gym
“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” - 1 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV
I’m a gym guy.
No, I’m not one of those body builder guys lifting heavy weights and drinking their body builder solutions that are often seen in the gym. I’m more of a gym rat, I guess. Always have been - for as long as I can remember.
I’m the kind of gym guy that usually finds a way to get there most every day or evening to sweat, to use the elliptical, ride the bike, lift some weights, stretch and swim. The kind of guy that gets the most out of every workout. I do it to keep my mind sharp, to relieve stress and to keep my body at least somewhat physically fit.
However, due to the pandemic, I’ve been unable to get there consistently, if at all. Thus, I have done very little, except for an occasional man cave dumbbell workout.
And I find myself getting soft... pudgy... and out of shape.
In today’s passage, Paul extols Timothy to “train yourself to be godly.” Paul goes on to express that their is value for physical training, “but godliness has value for all things...”
Through this letter, Paul is reminding me to strengthen my faith. He’s reminding me to value the growth and strengthening of my faith even more than I might value the gym and all of its benefits. Reminding me to train myself to be godly and not to just train intermittently, but train diligently even more and better than the gym rat in me would train my body in the gym.
Paul’s telling us to stop being soft... pudgy... out of shape in our faith and to tighten up, strengthen, solidify our faith on a daily basis. Reminding us to do what it takes to know Jesus more ~ spend time in the Word, spend time in prayer, spend time in worship.
Even more than I want to spend time in the gym. Even more than I want to sweat.
“Train yourself to be godly...”
Keep the Faith... Carpe Diem.
