October 2016 Creation Corner Column
Improving Our Human Nature
This is a column about
nature; what about our human nature? Our created being? How may it
be improved upon, as we consider how to improve all of nature?
Not being sedentary, and
walking instead, is a form of exercise, and exercise has been shown (as has a
proper nutritional diet) to have many benefits. In my house I have a
poster from 20 years ago, "96 Reasons to Exercise in 1996"!
According to an article
by Alexandra Sifferlin, (TIME, 7/4/16, p. 18), "The New Reasons to
Exercise" include it having mind-body benefits (one study found that 37%
of yoga practitioners keep up their practice for spirituality reasons);
it improves memory, increases energy, may stave off depression, curb cravings
and reduce the risk of serious cancers.
Some churches are
uniting religion and an improvement of human nature through physical fitness
and health programs, according to an article by Erin Beresini in the OUTSIDE
magazine for October 2016. One fitness instructor says "God want us
to be healthy and strong and to shine out his light for others to see."
There is now a Faith and
Fitness magazine and conferences, and a web site (ChurchFitness.com) .
The non-profit Health Fitness Revolution ranked the top fitness-minded American
mega-churches. There is the Global Congress on Sports and Christianity.
"You could have a
great heart, but your ability to serve is going to be impacted by your fitness
level," said one Baptist pastor.
A personal trainer said
our priorities are confused: "Don't have affairs...but you can do
food like nobody's business."
So if our unhealthy
bodies are hindering our full potential to serve God, churches are creating
Health Fitness challenges. Rick Warren promotes the Daniel (diet)
Plan. New Jersey has grants for faith-based organizations to begin
community health programs. A church gym composes a "Fitness and
Recreation Ministry", helping it to be relevant in a culture that is
increasingly health-minded.
Might "Thou Shalt
Work Out" become the 11th commandment?
If so, the cover story
for TIME magazine (Sept. 12 and 19), "The New Science of Exercise" by
Mandy Oaklander provides another series of benefits that can incentivize our
participation. A sample: More blood to the brain can help create
new blood vessels, release chemicals that lighten one's mood and ease pain;
more blood pumped to muscles carries oxygen to help withstand fatigue;
weight-bearing efforts can help muscles grow, put pressure on bones that
increases their density; blood flow to the skin propels nutrients to the
epidermis, thus helping wounds heal faster; fat cells shrink as fat is burned
to be used for energy; and exercise may protect the tiny caps on the ends of
chromosomes (telomeres) that in turn may slow the aging of cells.
Readers of that TIME piece in the subsequent issue lamented the
absence of advice for people with disabilities, who also need "safe and
consistent access to recreation and sport". But rehab services exist
to help with that. The bottom line, however, came from one reader who
lamented the lure of the ever-present home couch, saying it represents
"the exact opposite of mental, social, spiritual and physical activity and
personal improvement." Timely advice on the healing power of
movement. Whatever your physical condition, you may be able to find a way
to "go in peace and serve the Lord."
