Five days a week I go out for a run. A short, slow run. It’s a habit with me. And the only way I can stick with it is to keep it a habit. To glorify God. In other words, it’s a spiritual approach to making exercise a habit.
The Apostle Paul observed, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God…?” (I Corinthians 6:19)
We’re meant to treat the body with respect, to do all we can within our power to keep it healthy and serviceable.
A Wild Heart History
As I’ve written before, I have a wild heart history. Have had heart surgery twice in my life, most recently over a year ago. After each “procedure” (that seems to be the word medical professionals use), I signed up for cardiac rehab.
In cardiac rehab, you work with a nurse, a physical therapist—with a cardiologist on hand if needed—and get exercise three days a week, building back your strength and more specifically, your confidence.
This last time around I figured, “Okay, I’m not going to go running anymore.” On the contrary, the nurse and therapist urged me on. Running is good for my body. And I daresay, for my soul.
Encouragement to Keep Going
Their encouragement was a reminder: keep it up, Rick. If you saw me, slowly jogging up and down hills, you’d know I’m not out to win any races. In fact, recently, as I came up that last hill running with a friend, a neighbor exclaimed, “You look like the very LAST two finishers of the marathon.”
Thanks a lot. I decided to take it as a compliment.
“You must really love to run,” people will say to me. Love is too strong a word. But I love to finish a run. That feels good.
The only way I can do it is to make it a habit. It’s inscribed in my head (and heart). Sometimes I do it first thing in the morning. As the weather gets cold, I prefer going later in the day, when I won’t freeze. I could do it in a gym, but I don’t really like jogging on a treadmill. I prefer the great outdoors. A chance to get closer to the Creator.
Learning While Running
Sometimes I listen to a Bible podcast. My favorite is called “The Bible for Normal People,” full of interesting guests and scholars. I can learn while I run. I can grow.
Good habits are, in turn, habit-forming. I find it easiest if I simply make it a rule. The Bible offers commandments for us to follow. And the more you follow them, the easier it is to observe them. They become habits. So try a spiritual approach to making exercise a habit.
Like that everyday jog.
Sometimes I imagine Jesus there, as I’m huffing and puffing up a hill. “Okay, Jesus, I’m doing this for You.” To love the Lord with all your heart, body, mind and soul. “I’ll keep doing this, Jesus, until you tell me to stop.” Or a doctor says as much.
I like walking, too. That’s awfully good for you. Maybe that’ll be next.
