 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Healthy Living
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Copyright © 2009 Hendrix Media Group/Bluegrass Christian Magazine/KYfamily.com |
Walk or Do Dishes
By Dean Ehrenheim
Cleanliness is next to Godliness. I’ve heard that all my life. I’m not sure the Bible specifically says much
about that, but I’m sure the principle is there. If we can agree that filthiness is not next to Godliness, then
the opposite must be true by reason. At least our Grandmothers thought so. How’s that for deduction?
While cleanliness has its place, even Jesus saw higher value in other things. While visiting his friends Mary
and Martha, Mary was honored above Martha for not cleaning. It’s not a contradiction; it simply proves there
are things of higher value.
So how does fitness fair in scriptural value? As the Director of the Owensboro Family YMCA I live each day
in the reality that there is close tie between spirit, mind and body. I personally experience that connection
every Monday, Wednesday, & Friday (sometimes Saturday) when I exercise with my friend. But beyond that,
the Bible seems to admonish us to stay healthy. Romans 12:1 says:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and
pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship.
Here, it equates using our bodies for God with worship. But could that be an anomaly? One verse out of
the entire Bible doesn’t really create a principle, does it?
The Bible often compares faith to athletics. If nothing else, the God seems to be honoring athletes and those
who train and compete. One of my favorites is 1 Corinthians when Paul compares the faith to striving to win
in athletics. Just the fact that this analogy is used to offer honor and recognition to fitness demonstrates God’
s respect for athletes.
Twice in Galatians (2:2, 5:7); once in Philippians (2:16), Hebrews (12:1) and 2 Timothy (2:5) the Bible
compares our faith with running and athletics.
The theme is clear, athletes were respected for their discipline, perseverance, commitment and work ethic.
Next to Godliness? That may be a stretch. But the fact the Bible uses them as an example to aspire too
certainly offers strong credibility to comparing Godliness to the outcomes derived from athletics.
Being fit means different things for different people. We are not all the same. Based on body type, age,
gender, muscle mass, we all are unique. Our potential fitness level is also unique. Whether it takes a walk
around the block or racing a marathon, fitness is something to embrace…at your own level. The point is not
to scale Mount Everest or complete an Ironman®, but to challenge yourself physically at your own level. The
results will not only impact you physically, but mentally and spiritually.
Sure it is important, but lest you begin throwing stones at yourself or others who lack fitness and/or
athleticism, take time to read 1 Timothy 4:8,
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.
Clearly God wants us to be physically able to serve him. But that is point…service. God wants our company
and fellowship above our work or even fitness.
God challenges us to use our bodies to serve him (Romans 12:1). I personally believe that striving to reach
our own personal level of fitness (that is different for everyone) the greater we can serve. Fitness helps
clear the mind, lower stress and open our hearts to God’s spirit. Spirit, mind and body truly are intertwined.
So if you think that fitness is of no value, you clearly misunderstand the respect it is given throughout the
Bible. In fact, if there is a choice between doing the dishes and talking a walk….take the walk. In hierarchy
order; fitness trumps dishes, but godliness trumps fitness. Worship first, run second, clean last.
Grandmother wasn’t wrong, she just should have shoo'd you out to play before making you do the chores….
ah, blasphemy!
Dean Ehrenheim is CEO of the Owensboro Family YMCA.
By Dean Ehrenheim
Cleanliness is next to Godliness. I’ve heard that all my life. I’m not sure the Bible specifically says much
about that, but I’m sure the principle is there. If we can agree that filthiness is not next to Godliness, then
the opposite must be true by reason. At least our Grandmothers thought so. How’s that for deduction?
While cleanliness has its place, even Jesus saw higher value in other things. While visiting his friends Mary
and Martha, Mary was honored above Martha for not cleaning. It’s not a contradiction; it simply proves there
are things of higher value.
So how does fitness fair in scriptural value? As the Director of the Owensboro Family YMCA I live each day
in the reality that there is close tie between spirit, mind and body. I personally experience that connection
every Monday, Wednesday, & Friday (sometimes Saturday) when I exercise with my friend. But beyond that,
the Bible seems to admonish us to stay healthy. Romans 12:1 says:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and
pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship.
Here, it equates using our bodies for God with worship. But could that be an anomaly? One verse out of
the entire Bible doesn’t really create a principle, does it?
The Bible often compares faith to athletics. If nothing else, the God seems to be honoring athletes and those
who train and compete. One of my favorites is 1 Corinthians when Paul compares the faith to striving to win
in athletics. Just the fact that this analogy is used to offer honor and recognition to fitness demonstrates God’
s respect for athletes.
Twice in Galatians (2:2, 5:7); once in Philippians (2:16), Hebrews (12:1) and 2 Timothy (2:5) the Bible
compares our faith with running and athletics.
The theme is clear, athletes were respected for their discipline, perseverance, commitment and work ethic.
Next to Godliness? That may be a stretch. But the fact the Bible uses them as an example to aspire too
certainly offers strong credibility to comparing Godliness to the outcomes derived from athletics.
Being fit means different things for different people. We are not all the same. Based on body type, age,
gender, muscle mass, we all are unique. Our potential fitness level is also unique. Whether it takes a walk
around the block or racing a marathon, fitness is something to embrace…at your own level. The point is not
to scale Mount Everest or complete an Ironman®, but to challenge yourself physically at your own level. The
results will not only impact you physically, but mentally and spiritually.
Sure it is important, but lest you begin throwing stones at yourself or others who lack fitness and/or
athleticism, take time to read 1 Timothy 4:8,
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.
Clearly God wants us to be physically able to serve him. But that is point…service. God wants our company
and fellowship above our work or even fitness.
God challenges us to use our bodies to serve him (Romans 12:1). I personally believe that striving to reach
our own personal level of fitness (that is different for everyone) the greater we can serve. Fitness helps
clear the mind, lower stress and open our hearts to God’s spirit. Spirit, mind and body truly are intertwined.
So if you think that fitness is of no value, you clearly misunderstand the respect it is given throughout the
Bible. In fact, if there is a choice between doing the dishes and talking a walk….take the walk. In hierarchy
order; fitness trumps dishes, but godliness trumps fitness. Worship first, run second, clean last.
Grandmother wasn’t wrong, she just should have shoo'd you out to play before making you do the chores….
ah, blasphemy!
Dean Ehrenheim is CEO of the Owensboro Family YMCA.
