I walk past a sign outside a personal trainer’s offices on my way to and from school. The sign reads
“Choice, not circumstances, determine your success”
I think the sign sums up exactly what I call the “law of physical fitness”. All the authorities on the law of physical fitness tell us that if we work hard to be fit and eat the right food then we will reap the rewards: more energy, longer life and rock hard abs. There is no good news for the person who does not keep the law of regular exercise and a healthy diet; who hasn't watched The Biggest Loser?
Perhaps surprisingly for some, the Bible talks very little about caring for our physical bodies. Probably because at the time of the Bible’s writing fast food wasn’t available and everyone did a full 12+ hours a day in the fields trying to grow their daily bread. What the Bible does talk about is the condition of our hearts, not the beating red one, but the essence of who we are.
As Christians living in a world that glorifies both McDonalds and super skinny models it is hard to resist the idolatry of being obsessed with appearance. We need to keep in mind that the fittest athlete in the world today may have gained the world but he will die when he least expects it. The only good news for all you athletes, slobs, anorexics, yoyo dieters, and healthy average Joe’s is that Jesus died for ALL of your sins including gluttony, laziness and self obsession. His death on your behalf means that when you die God will give you eternal life with Him in a perfect resurrected body that will never again struggle with the idolatry of outward appearance.
In Christ alone will you daily find the security to say with Him “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt 6:31-33)
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