Are you fit for the long haul?

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

Mark 12:30

Fit for the Long Haul…

 I don’t remember just how hot it was that day, but I promise you it was HOT! I was doing one of my least favorite things – weedeating. As I was working alongside the ditch, sweat dripping off my nose, my neighbor Brad stopped by. Brad was probably in his mid-eighties then and was not able to get around very well.

He’d drive his truck around the neighborhood, which was once his farm, before we developed it into our neighborhood. Brad was a sure nuff cowboy who rodeoed and worked cattle, till his age and bad health made it impossible. Brad pulled up alongside me with a smile on his face and said, “How you doing Larry?”

How am I doing? Well, I stopped what I was doing and told Brad how hot I was and how much I hated weedeating. Brad looked at me, the smile disappearing from his face, and said, “Larry, I’d give everything I own if I could trade places with you.” I’ll never forget that moment. And from that day till now, I’ve done my best not to complain about being able to work. So long as I’m fit to do work—even hard, sweaty, dirty work—I will be thankful that I can, because I know that one day, like Brad, I won’t be able to.

How are you doing in the area of fitness?

Here are three areas that the Bible speaks to, which also align with our mission at Antioch to Worship, Grow, and Serve.

It is Part of our Worship

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” — Mark 12:30

Loving God with all of our everything includes our bodies.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” — Romans 12:1

If you are still able to do what you want to do, worship God for His gift of health and fitness.

It is Part of our Growth (Sanctification)

“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:23

“So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” — 1 Corinthians 9:26-27

We all know that we should be growing spiritually, but Paul tells us here that protecting and managing our bodies are part of our maturation process.

It is Part of our Service

“Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” — 2 Timothy 2:21

Set apart, useful, and ready.

How about you? 

Are you fit for the long haul? Not just to look good or check a box, but to worship fully, grow steadily, and serve faithfully. Let’s not take for granted the ability to work, move, and show up. One day, like Brad, we may not be able to. Until then, let’s honor God by caring for the bodies He’s given us—grateful for every drop of sweat, every sore muscle, and every chance to keep going. 

Stay faithful. Stay ready. Stay thankful.

Larry Martin

MD5 Facilitator