Your Body for God

Richard Hollerman

We know that most people recognize the importance of their body and even over-emphasize this. As Scripture says, “No one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it” (Ephesians 5:29a). We are here for only a brief time and then it is all over. Our Lord was getting at this in Matthew 6:

Do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? (Verse 25)

This entire section of Scripture deals with this matter in verses 25-34. But we notice in verse 33: “Seek first His [God’s] kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” The most important matter that should occupy our attention is the Kingdom of God! Is this true of us? Is this the focus of our life?

Sadly, as we look around and interact with others, we see that they are more interested in worldly affairs and their use of time reflects this interest. We want these pages to go over my own life, from my teen years until the present time. We don’t do this because I lived a perfect life (because I surely didn’t) but to offer an example of seeking first God’s kingdom but also pursuing physical excellence. This can be done. And God continues to teach me and lead me in His ways!

We do know that it is important that we have some interest in our physical life. Paul writes, “Bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8). Compared to spiritual matters, the body is not to be of interest. Instead, let’s realize that we are to focus on spiritual matters. Yet “bodily discipline” is of some interest, isn’t it.

I can see that I should have been more interested in physical matters earlier than I was. I don’t know how young but perhaps my pre-teen years should have given me a greater interest in my physical health. Of course, ideally we should come from the context of a family that has this interest. Instead, I suppose that I was about seventeen when I began to show a real interest in my body and health. I spent much time at this age in seeking to be a good health and seeking strength.

At that time, I began to exercise regularly. I remember going into the basement of our house with exercise in mind. I also began to read health literature. Further, my diet was changed—somewhat. I ceased to consume what I considered unhealthy food and focused on foods that were better for my health. It wasn’t until I was about twenty-two or twenty-three that I increased my desire to be in good health and this continued even more in the following year.

My diet was altered, therefore, when I was in my twenties and exercised resumed greatly when I was about twenty-five, and this continued unabated for the coming years. When I moved to Fort Worth some years later, the very day I arrived I began to run from four to six miles daily and this continued until about twelve years ago when I began to walk long distances each day since my back did not allow me to continue the rigorous training.

I can recall, when I was a few years older, that my diet again slightly changed, according to what I was learning. It was changed for the good. I suppose that some may think that I went “too far” in my pursuit of literature and eating but my health regimen intensified.

My sleep patterns were somewhat unusual. I have always, since my teen years, been very interested in accomplishing “things” each day—at least since I was about fifteen. Thus, I tried to sleep little and do more and more. I knew that my time on earth was limited, thus I wanted to “pack” into the day as much as I could for the Lord’s sake. Then, some years ago, through a contact with a woman from the North, I changed even more. I had published a book that she hd read and obtained my name and mailing address from the publisher.

Soon, this kindly woman read a book written by a man in Africa who claimed that we should sleep as little as possible in order to accomplish more for the Lord. He claimed that if we only decreased the amount of time in bed, this would give us 365 extra hours to devote to spiritual things. This made sense! Then, if we decreased our sleep-time by another hour a day, this would be a total of 730 extra hours a year. And this would go on for the next period of time also. I attempted to do this, with some success—but  also with some failure. (One can only sleep so little until we just can’t keep our eyes open!)

Yet over the last number of years (perhaps the past 10, 20, or more years) I kept reading that we really do need sleep to function better and also for good health. I knew that much of this came from non-Christian sources, thus I was aware that Satan was involved in some of this. Yet, I could see that some of this advice was true. We do need some adequate sleep each day. I could also see that in Biblical times (for example, the time of Jesus), people would often sleep little or more, depending on the situation. For example, four of Christ’s disciples had been fishermen who worked through the night. They must have cleaned the fish as well as the nets during the daylight hours. I wonder when they would sleep—especially if they had a family, including children? But sleep is important to some extent.

Our Lord also could sleep little by praying through the night (see Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12; Matthew 14:23; Luke 5:16. Thus, for a long while now I have been trying to focus on my physical health in various ways. I eat well—consistently and with a focus on God and His ways. I exercise for an hour a day, some 365 days of the year. I sleep adequately, I think, and this is for my physical good. As I have the opportunity, I also encourage others to increase and develop their physical well-being. Of course, I have a splendid library of health books that I consult as I have the time. All of this would be that which I have been doing for some years and have a focus on God and His will in all of these matters. Keep in mind that the spiritual focus must always take precedence over the physical (1 Timothy 4:8).

We know that people do have twenty-four hours each day. If they were to spend perhaps nine or ten hours on the job, some five days in the week, this still gives some time for physical pursuits. It is estimated that the average person watches TV (we used to call it the “television”) some three hours a day, seven days a week, for a total of about twenty-one hours each week. (https://www.statista.com/statistics/186833/average-television-use-per-person-in-the-us-since-2002). This is an amazing amount, don’t you think? Personally, I think that this is usually (but not always) wasted time that could be better used.

We know of a book that lists some four (4) reasons why TV-viewing is a waste of time and should be discarded. And this is a secular book! (I can’t place my hands of this at this time.) Anther book that is before me is entitled, “Ten Traps of Television,” by Francie Taylor. I would think that the average person would derive some benefit from these and similar titles.

If we do throw away the TV and devote these twenty-one hours a week to other things, what could we accomplish for the Lord? Think of the books that we could read. Think of the spiritual pursuits that could occupy our mind and attention. Think of the places we could go, the people we could reach, and the positive activities with which we could be engaged! How many chapters in the Bible could you study? How many verses could you memorize, review, and use? How many times could you have sweet spiritual fellowship with others? All because we have an additional twenty-one hours a week—besides the hours that we would normally have and use!

We hope that you will consider these matters carefully—for God has given us a physical nature that needs to be cultivated. Further, our time on earth is limited—very limited—and we must use it with great commitment to the Lord. Let’s live for God our Creator and please Him in all we do—including our physical life.

https://wealthygorilla.com/reasons-to-stop-watching-television/