In 1896 the first modern Olympic games opened in Athens, Greece.

The Olympic games are a dazzling display of athletic ability, sportsmanship, and international goodwill. Every two years, alternating summer and winter games, millions of people around the world watch their national heroes “go for the gold.” Observers are thrilled as the winning athletes receive the medals, accompanied by their national anthem.

Frequently the broadcasts of the games are interrupted by “up close and personal” stories of individual competitors. We learn about each athlete’s hometown, family, workout schedule, and path to the Olympics. The stories are inspiring, especially when we see the tremendous dedication and hard work, the countless hours of working out invested in an Olympic goal. For some of the young people, a sport has become life!

Very few people get to be in the Olympics. But almost anyone can exercise and work out. And we don’t have to compete for medals or awards to benefit from sports and activity. Regular exercise helps us keep our weight under control, build strength and endurance, and live longer and better. Hopefully, many who sit and watch the Olympics will be inspired to get up and work out.

In today’s verse, the apostle Paul agrees that physical exercise is good. But even more important, he points out, is spiritual exercise. People work out spiritually by regularly spending time studying the Bible, praying, learning from godly teachers, worshipping, and sharing their faith. That’s like stretching, doing sit-ups and push-ups, lifting weights, swimming, biking, and running a few miles. But the rewards are worth more than even the Olympics.

What’s your workout schedule? Go for the gold!

Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next (1 Timothy 4:8).

To Do

Put together a daily physical and spiritual workout schedule. For example, you could start each day by doing 10 sit-ups and then reading a chapter of the Bible. As you gain strength, increase what you do in both areas.

Also on this day . . .

This is the first day of National Library Week.

1906—The first animated cartoon was copyrighted.

1924—Four planes left Seattle on the first successful flight around the world.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.