By Dr. Larry E. Elliott

For fourteen years I ran the River Run, a 9.3 mile run, in Jacksonville, Florida. In 2006 I tore the meniscuse in both knees, which required orthopedic surgery. Following the second surgery, the orthopedic surgeon told me I could continue to run, if I desired, but, if I did, I probably would return to him for knee replacement surgery. I decided knee replacement surgery was not for me and began power walking, which the doctor agreed was best.

My wife introduced me to running and the benefits of exercise a few months after we moved to Jacksonville from Ft. Worth, Texas. She was heavily into running and encouraged me to join her. I began to run a quarter mile, then a half mile and progressed over a few months to three miles. Eventually, I reached ten miles. One day when I was running, I learned one of the greatest feelings a runner experienced was the “runner’s high”, a moment while running you felt you could run forever. Your body felt wonderful, but I also learned “runner’s high” falsely told your body everything was OK, when exactly the opposite was true. If you continued to run, the damage to your body meant future pain and agony, which could be permanent. However, I loved running and ran for over forty years until 2006 when I injured my knees.

My wife placed me on the right path when she encouraged me to start running. The benefits far outweigh the sacrifice of time and energy. Exercise benefits us physically, emotionally, spiritually and socially. By far, the physical benefits top the list. Exercise strengthens bones, muscles, the heart, blood circulation, the lungs, helps improve brain activity, the immune system and lengthens life. If for no other reason, the physical benefits support our need to exercise.  Emotionally, exercise improves our attitude, makes us feel good about ourselves, gives us energy to work better, relate better to our family and others and positively look to the future. In other words, exercise generates a better outlook on life today and tomorrow.  Spiritually, exercise provides “running or walking” time to meditate. In addition to exercising in the Spirit of prayer, walking allows time to think about my Scripture lesson for the week. I meditate on the designated Scripture and prepare my heart for teaching. I teach a senior adult Bible Study Class. Meditation brings the presence of God into my exercise, which helps me relax and fills me with peace. Meditation makes exercise a spiritual experience improving my relationship with God and with myself. You may reach a “runner’s high” when running, but no “runner’s high” compares to getting high on God!

How can exercise help ussocially? When I began power walking, I met others who were walking or running. I also met people who were not involved in exercise, but spoke to me as I walked by their houses. Since I followed the same walking route each day, friendships developed and people stopped me to talk. I enjoy the relationships, especially when God gave me the opportunity to minister to personal needs. We never know when God will use us to witness and minister.     

After a few weeks of power walking, I started waving at the cars which drove by and telling the people I saw, “have a good day”.  Many of those in the cars waved back and those I spoke too responded positively to my gesture. By the wave I meant “have a good day” hoping maybe the wave would be a way to encourage the people heading to work. When those who waved back smiled, I felt my wave positively impacted their life. You never know how an expression of kindness impacts another person, only God knows. I may not know the impact, but I will continue to wave praying God will use the wave to produce a smile in the life and soul of someone who needs an expression of kindness.  “Be kind and compassionate to one another, tenderhearted, loving one another as in Christ God loved you” (Eph.4:32).

Without doubt, exercise is good for us. It helps us physically, emotionally, spiritually and socially. Exercise requires time and energy. But, consider the benefits and how your quality of life will improve as a result. God’s Word teaches us the body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit.  The better we take care of our body, the Temple, the greater the blessings of life. Walk today for the health of it! Use your daily walk to glorify God and bless others at the same time.