In Younger Next Year, Chris Crowley and Dr. Henry S. Lodge warn us about living in a way that is sedentary, particularly as it relates to retirement. They say that many people’s approach to retirement is very flawed when it involves “being sedentary, withdrawing from social contact, [and] eating everything you can get your hands on.”

If we do that, our bodies biologically think that it must be time for winter, or that it’s a famine. As a result, our bodies store up food, and our brains subconsciously think that we should start fretting about our very survival.

To counteract this, they argue, we should stay connected to other people, and remain active.

This relates to what we’ve been talking about this week. We live in a culture that enjoys relaxation, entertainment and chillin’ out. I’m not against those things. In fact, I like them! But not all the time. We go off the rails when we think they’re the only goal and source of our contentment and well-being.

In 1 Corinthians 12:27 followers of Jesus are called the “body of Christ” (not the La-Z-Boy of Christ); in Matthew 5:14 we are called the “light of the world” (not the unused bulbs of the world); and in Hebrews 10:24 we asked to “consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…” (not drag each other down with apathy and stagnancy).

Crowley and Lodge say we should stay connected to other people and remain active. In the footsteps of Jesus we call that loving one another (John 13:34-35) and helping the hurting, lost and lonely!

I realize there are times when it’s hard. I get that. But do your best to make those times pit stops and not a perpetual way of life.

When you don’t use your body or brain, those muscles get soft. The same could be said for faith.

We sometimes falter in the footsteps of Jesus. But let’s ensure those are pit stops and not a perpetual way of life. Instead, let’s get on with loving one another, and helping the hurting, lost and lonely.

By Matthew Ruttan

–This Sunday my teaching is called “The opposite of worry” and is Part 4 in the Contentment series. Close to Barrie? Join in!
–“Up!” is published 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) and returns on September 30.
–Bible quotes are from the NIV.