No Strain, No Gain

By Edd Sterchi

     Recent studies reveal that most people who live in large cities do not walk for their health ... they run for their lives! (insert rim shot here). All joking aside, exercise is very important. But exercise, done right, is not always easy or convenient.
     Exercise takes commitment. You have to make a decision to do it and you have to stick to it. Exercise takes motivation. You need to spur yourself on to be successful. Exercise takes effort. It takes a lot of hard work to reach the goal. And exercise takes endurance. You must persist through muscle pain, etc. to make it worthwhile. But if you exercise regularly and successfully, you will see that exercise brings great benefits. You get a healthier, more fit body and you will feel much better in the long run.
     Paul reminded the young preacher Timothy to “exercise yourself toward godliness” (1 Tim. 4:7). Using the exercise motif above, let us note that if we are to exercise ourselves toward godliness, we must be committed, motivated, putting much effort into it, and enduring through times of difficulty and pain. Being godly is not always easy or convenient, but, like all exercise, done right it is worth it. The healthier, more fit spirituality we gain feels great and benefits us greatly (note 1 Cor. 9:24-27).

- Edd Sterchi preaches for the Broadway Church of Christ in Campbellsville, KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.broadwaychurchofchrist.net/