"Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come." 1 Timothy 4:8 NLT
My plan Saturday was to wake up early enough to get in my morning Bible study and slip in a short run-all before having to leave home by 7 a.m. to help with my church garage sale. But you know what they say about plans... they never seem to go as planned. Which is exactly what happened. I woke up nearly an hour later than planned and only had time for one or the other. "Hmmm..," I thought to myself, "Go for a run or spend time with the Lord?" And you know what? I surely didn't miss that run near as much as I would have missed skipping my devotion time.
And when it comes to the importance of physical training versus spiritual training, Paul had something to say. In his letter to Timothy, he wrote that "physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better.." You see, he was telling Timothy that, while we should most definitely keep our physical bodies in shape, the benefits of doing so wouldn't last long (as our bodies age and decay no matter how well we work to maintain them). But "training for godliness", or practicing and preparing to be wholeheartedly devoted to honoring, loving and serving Christ, promised "benefits in this life and in the life to come" and was, therefore, so much more important.
So let us work to maintain our health as best we can my friends. After all, the fitter we are the better able we are to serve others. But let us never do so at the expense of doing what's most important... spending time with the Lord, learning and training to be the godly people He has called us to be.
Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that gives us everything we need to grow closer in our walk with you. Help us to remember that all training requires a sacrifice of time and discipline but that the rewards far outweigh the costs. May we seek you Lord above all other things that we might be known, and seek to be known, as godly Christians devoted to following you. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
Give me Jesus - Danny Gokey
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