While
the world around pushes for us to lose weight and look our best in healthy and
unhealthy ways, the church often opts out of conversations about physical
health and well being altogether. Gary Thomas addresses this trend and
dives right into the discussion in his book, Every Body Matters. Here, Thomas
explores from a Biblical perspective, the benefits of physical fitness and how
it can profoundly impact our lives as Christ followers. He shares how
becoming physically fit can lead to being more sensitive to God’s voice, having
more zest for life, and having a fresh attitude of service and love for others.
In
addition to discussing the spiritual and emotional benefits of physical
fitness, Gary Thomas also shares the true motivation behind all of it. The goal
behind getting healthy as a Christian is not that we might look and feel great,
but that we might be “instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to
the Master and prepared to do any good work” (2 Timothy 2:21). By
being disciplined in what we eat and the activities we choose, we train
ourselves so that we might be ready (now both physically, mentally, and
spiritually) for any good work- for Christ and His kingdom.
Every
chapter of this book is infused with convicting truth, motivating perspective,
and refreshing candor. Every time I put the book down, I felt this deep
urge to go for a brisk walk or do some sort of exercise. This book gave
me a deeper motivation for being healthy. It’s not about me getting
thinner and more agile, it’s about walking with my God and serving Him with all
of my heart. For me, that’s the best motivation I could ever
ask for.
“How we
treat our bodies is a question of stewardship even before it is a question of
health, comfort, enjoyment, or pleasure. If we’re truly going to be made holy,
useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work, being more
energetic and even being healthier can be essential elements of
effectiveness. Many issues of disability and illness are beyond our control;
they fall under the providence of God and the genes he has given us. But many
issues- how often we exercise, the amount and the quality of the calories we
take in- are entirely a matter of choice, and these are what we are held
accountable for.” pg.47
“The
reason spiritual neglect and apathy are so devastating is that the act of
pursuing God makes life so much sweeter. When I am seeking and growing in God,
my marriage and parenting, my eating and drinking, my laughing and playing and
work, take on and holy hue. The delight I have in God seeps into everything I
do, and if there is anything that blocks this delight, I lose my taste for it.”
pg.108
“Here’s
the difference: trying aspects of life will happen whether we use them or not.
Spiritual laziness leads to resentment; spiritual diligence spawns insight and
transformation from the exact same events.” pg. 111
“We should be asking
ourselves how we can become places of outreach that love, affirm, and build up
the sick, the lonely, the recovering addicts, and the weak, while affirming the
call to become strong, fit, and active servants.” pg. 129
“but as God’s
representatives, we are called to encourage others to turn from sin and to
testify to God’s will, however imperfectly we live it out ourselves, because a
life of holiness is the most wonderful, meaningful, joy-filled, abundant life
there is.” pg. 141
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