The NBA post-season is in full swing. However, unlike in previous years, there are no over-flowing crowds cheering their teams to victory. Instead, the champion wannabees play in a “bubble,” practically an empty stadium. The same surreal atmosphere pervades major sporting events such as the recently-concluded US Open (tennis) and the European football leagues.
Here in Los Baños, the UPLB athletic field around Baker Hall is eerily silent. Before the pandemic, it was usually buzzing with sports activities—basketball, tennis, and football in the afternoons and weekends. Bikers, runners, and walkers were all over the place. Even the Makiling Forest is closed to hikers and bikers.
It may be tempting to stop all physical exercise given the closure of sports facilities. Combined with limited mobility and easy access to food while confined at home, ceasing from all forms of physical exertion is a recipe for disaster. Our family has found out that there are other options to keep one healthy. My wife and I walk around our village morning and evening, logging in around 7km every day. We also have some gym equipment at home that allows us to shed some calories even if it’s raining outside.
Christians are stewards of their bodies. Keeping our bodies healthy allows us the freedom to worship God and serve Him daily. A sickly Christian, because of her lousy diet and lack of bodily care, does no honor to the God who created her body.
In the overall scheme of things, our spiritual lives are far more valuable than our earthly bodies. As Paul noted, “for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8). This reality should insulate us from an idolatrous obsession with our bodies. But at the same time, we should not go to the other extreme of neglecting our bodies.
So go on and watch those basketball games on TV. But don’t forget to flex your muscles as well.
Older
Top
