"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." Philippians 2:3
The debate on whether running is an effective way to shed weight and keep it off has been going on for years. But now, a new study from the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness reports that our reason for starting to run can influence our results. The study showed that those whose motive was purely weight loss, compared to other reasons, indeed lost the most weight. However, when it came to keeping it off and sticking with the exercise, Matt Fitzgerald, sports nutritionist and author of Racing Weight, said "People who are running for the scale are less likely to stick with it over several years. When weight loss is your goal for running, long-term adherence is much lower than when your goal is enjoyment”. To that end, Fitzgerald encouraged runners to “fall in love with running” before anything else.
When it comes to motives, the bible has a lot to say when it tells us that we are to do nothing out of jealousy, pride, arrogance or self-importance but, in humility and obedience to Christ, count others of greater value than ourselves. It's only by following the example of Jesus that we can be sure our motives are pure. You see, he was willing to give up his rights in order to obey God and serve people. He did nothing out of selfish ambition or to make himself 'look good' in the eyes of others but rather considered the needs of others first. That was his motivation for everything he did and that should most certainly be ours.
I wonder, if we're honest though, how many of us can say that today? Do we help others or serve in the Church so that we will 'look good'? Or do we genuinely do everything out of humility, love and the ambition to win them to Christ? There's no debate on what our answer should be is there?
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to give us the ultimate example of what it means to truly love others and to serve you for the right reasons. Help us to surrender our rights, our dreams and our goals that we might allow you to use us to be an example of Christ to others. Most of all, Lord, help us to be humble that all others might see in us is You. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
More and more - Selah
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