Do Christians have a responsibility to stay in shape?

Their is a serious health crisis going on in America today as more and more of us are falling prey to serious diseases due to unhealthy lifestyles. Childhood obesity is at an all time high and over half of the adult population is overweight. It is a known fact that all major diseases are influenced by diet, from heart disease to certain types of cancer, yet we let this go in one ear and out the other. Why is that? Do we really believe that we are invincible and our health is something we can play Russian roulette with?

11 Corinthians 4:7 says that we have a treasure that resides in an earthen vessel (our bodies). This treasure is the AWESOME POWER of GOD to those who are new creations in Christ. This is why it is so important to keep ourselves fit and healthy so that we can render ourselves effective witnesses for Jesus. God isn't concerned with appearances but He is concerned with our well-being. The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus came to give us life more abundantly (John 10:10). How can we live the abundant life that He promises if we are sick and tired all the time? It seems to me that by filling our bodies full of junk and letting our muscles deteriorate due to lack of use that we are giving the enemy a foothold in our lives. Remember that he wants to destroy all that is important and loved by God, which is you.

What is my responsibility?
As good stewards we have a responsibility to stay informed about health and nutrition. God's word says that "my people die due to to lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). Our excuse cannot be "Well, I didn't know super-sizing my fries was such a big deal." A nonchalant attitude won't keep you from the reality of a life-threatening disease. We are God's masterpieces that deserve the utmost care. What are we saying to Him when He gives us the gift of life and we abuse what He created? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, "Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body."

It seems to me that taking care of our bodies is a responsibility that we owe to God. How would you feel if you bought a brand new car for someone and they took it and poured sugar down the gas tank? I know that our lives cannot be compared to a car but we do treat our material possessions with more care than our own bodies. We need to understand that we are killing ourselves by not being concerned about our physical health. We lose nearly one million people a year due to food-related diseases. These are staggering statistics that are screaming for our attention. We should present ourselves to God in our best condition so that He can use us whenever He needs to. How can serve Him if we are always sick and tired? Of course, God can work through us in any situation but it is not His will to see His children suffer needlessly.

Where do I start?
First and foremost, educate yourself about what you are putting into your body. When you learn why certain foods are bad for you then you are empowered to make good decisions. For example, most soft drinks contain high amounts of sugar, caffeine and artificial flavorings. All of this junk robs your body of calcium by increasing urinary secretion. The phosphoric acid found in many sodas add to the problem by further robbing you of calcium by increasing the loss of magnesium and calcium in the urine. The effect this has on your body is weaker bones and deposits of calcium in the kidneys. Are you thirsty now?

Secondly, start now. Right this second. Eating healthy and exercising needs to be a lifestyle. Don't say you are on a diet because diets don't work. Don't say that you will start exercising tomorrow. We are told in the Bible not to "boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day will bring forth" (Proverbs 27:1).

Third, don't rely on yourself. Put God first and call on Him for help. He will never leave us or forsake us and promises to help us when we ask. He is faithful and will not let us fail if we do our part. We are created in God's image and like Him we are relational to the core. Find an exercise partner or group that holds you accountable. You will start to look forward to exercising when you are meeting with others who have the same goals and purposes in mind.

Health is a blessing. We forget this until we get sick and it is taken from us. Then we would do anything to feel better. Nothing seems to matter when you are not feeling good. It is even worse when it is an innocent child that is sick. If there was something you could do to prevent future illnesses, wouldn't you do it? Do it for your Heavenly Father who loves you. Do it for your family and friends who want you around for a long time and do it for yourself. Live the abundant life that is yours through Jesus our Lord.

The Best of Success

The year was 1983. In Australia, the long-distance foot race from Sydney to Melbourne was about to begin, covering 875 kilometers - more than 500 miles! About 150 world-class athletes had entered, for what was planned as a six-day event. So race officials were startled when a 61-year-old man approached and handed them his entry form.

His name was Cliff Young, and his "racing attire" included overalls and galoshes over his work boots.
At first, they refused to let him enter. So he explained that he'd grown up on a 2,000-acre farm, with thousands of sheep. His family could afford neither horses nor tractors so, when the storms came, his job was to round up the sheep. Sometimes, he said, it would take two or three days of running.

Finally, they let Cliff enter, and the race began. The others quickly left him way behind, shuffling along in his galoshes. But he didn't know the plan included stopping each night to rest, so he kept going.

By the fifth day, he had caught them all, won the race, and became a national hero. He continued to compete in long-distance races until well up in his seventies. He was an inspiration to millions and a great encourager of younger runners.

In his honor and memory, in 2004, the year after his death at age 81, the organizers of the race where he first gained fame permanently changed its name to the Cliff Young Australian Six Day Race.

What was the key to Cliff Young's success? It goes by various names: determination, perseverance, persistence, tenacity. It means keeping one's eye fixed steadfastly on a goal, and not stopping, no matter the difficulties or the obstacles, until that goal is achieved.