I’ve been out of college for two years now. I haven’t changed much (at least I’d like to think), but there is one aspect of my life that I’ve let slip: my physical workouts. I did all right in the summer and fall, but once the winter months came, I wanted to stay inside where it was warm. After a long day at work I didn’t want to exert any more energy than I already had. Unfortunately, this way of thinking became a habit, and I could feel my body losing all the muscle and stamina I had worked so hard to gain. Still, I made excuses. “I’ve done my time,” I reasoned. I gave my body everything I had for eight years straight, pushing it through multiple sports in high school and college. I made it my ambition to get in top physical shape, and now that my playing days were over, I didn’t need to keep it up. But I do!

It hit me, as I had my fourth cookie of the day, that my body is still a temple for God. I’ve strived to dedicate myself to Him through prayer and devotions, but I had forgotten that God wants us to glorify Him with our bodies. I have been sinful in wasting my ability to be active and, therefore, not truly gaining the closeness with God that I desire. I needed to show Him I was committed mind, BODY and spirit.

Slowly but surely I’m getting back into a physical routine that honors God. He has blessed me with able legs and a willing heart, and now during my runs I take great pleasure in building up my physical and spiritual muscle. And God wants the same for you. He has given us a beautiful place called earth on which to run around and give Him glory, and it would be a shame to miss out on His goodness.

So, no matter what life stage you’re in, start training. Build up your temple and watch the worldly walls crumble.