The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits…(2)Such teachings come through hypocritical liars whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. (3)They…order them to abstain from certain foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving…(4)For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving…(7)Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.  (8)For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:1-8)

The thing I like about The Daniel Plan is that it gets back to basics.  It allows us to get to the heart and soul of the matter.

We are built to move, built to perform work.  Why would we be so sturdily designed if not to move?  Our skeletal system gives us a sturdy framework and gets brittle without proper stress.  Our muscles generate heat, allow us to move, make it possible for us to care for and provide for our offspring.  The forces of our daily movement patterns drive along our connective tissue.  Neurologically we are hardwired to fight our enemies and run from danger.

As Christians, we are given a set of directions from which we can purpose ourselves.  Our lives.  Our WHOLE lives, body, mind, and spirit.  Whilst on our spiritual paths we encounter roadsigns to help maneuver the detours, roadblocks, and rotaries.  Those on the life-long journey rarely (ever?) say “I want the fast track…get me to the endpoint more quickly”.  We are to spend eternal life in God’s heavenly kingdom; we are to spend our earthly life here.

Why is it when we get to diet we want the quick solution, giving the charlatans and hypocrites our hard earned money?  And why do we buy into the thought that a life journey can be performed without training, with a weak and overburdened physical body, and while looking for every shortcut imaginable?  Undernourished and overburdened does not make for a smart expedition.

Maybe it’s time we each had (yet another) serious chat with Our Maker.  Ask specific questions.  Wait for answers that are Godly in nature.  Try using your exercise, fitness, or training sessions as a time for listening.  It is difficult to train at an indoor gym and expect it to be quiet.  We long for constant companionship, and often create buddy systems that help us keep our health plan on track.  We regularly ask for someone to entertain us with conversation, a perfect playlist of songs for motivation, or some other distraction…to keep us on the path.  Might that just be a detour?  Maybe you’ve missed the road sign to peace.  Maybe that bus stop of entertainment kept you from missing the bus.

Keep training for the long haul.  Nourish the body.  And the soul.  And in all things, be thankful.

“For everything that God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.”