MAY 28

1 Timothy 4:7-9
Memorise 2 Corinthians 4:16
“… our outward man perish, … inward man is renewed day by day”

To be obsessed with something is to be preoccupied with it to the extent that it becomes all-consuming. This results in an individual becoming dysfunctional in other ways due to too much attention paid to a particular thing at the expense of others. Today, much emphasis is placed on external appearances. The saying “you have to look like you’ve made it in order to make it” is something that many youths believe, so they spend lots of time, energy and money to dress up and tone their bodies up. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be trim and fit but if the intent is to look good only rather than to stay healthy then it can become a problem.

Going to the gym to build up our bodies may be fun or give rewarding results. The image conscious society that we live in today push us to have fit, toned and slim bodies, and anyone that falls outside of the norm is mocked at. However we must realise that in the end it is futile as we all will eventually grow old and frail if we even live long enough for this to happen. At the same time, we must acknowledge that it is hard to serve God effectively if we do not look after our bodies and become ill. After all, the mind and body are largely dependent on each other for mutual wellbeing. Indeed, to neglect our own health is also to break the 6th commandment, but to be obsessed with fitness is to break the 1st commandment as we would be guilty of idolizing our own bodies.

What is important here is to prioritise our commitments correctly. This requires much wisdom and discipline. God’s perspective on this matter is found in 1 Timothy 4:8 which says that physical exercise profits little whereas godliness is of far greater value. Whatever we do is good, be it studying God’s Word, improving our grammar or engaging in physical training, if it glorifies God and enables us to serve Him better. To only be concerned with the externals is investing our energy unwisely as our bodies will fail eventually. We can, however, continue to mature spiritually through the years if we walk closely with God (2 Corinthians 4:16). Dear Teen, have you set your priorities right?

Thought: It is best to exercise body, mind and soul, neglecting none. Let’s do so in a manner that is pleasing to God.
Prayer: O Lord, help us to faint not. Rather, renew the inward man daily even as the outward man perishes.