You know the feeling when you look over a verse, passage, or quote that literally leaps off the page and resonates with you in an inexplicable way?
It’s almost as if the words were written for you, in that moment, and pertain exactly to how you feel or what you are dealing with.
I definitely get this feeling many times when reading Scripture and inspirational words. One of the most memorable memories I’ve had of this experience was when I stumbled upon this verse from First Timothy, thanks to good ol’ Pinterest :)……
Alright, now let’s focus on the words. “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).”
I have been an avid exerciser and athlete for as long as I can remember. From a young age, I followed a path to becoming a professional dancer and therefore involved myself in 20+ hours a week of training.
As of a year and a half ago, upon entering college (as a dance major), I had a drastic paradigm shift and decided to leave my dreams of becoming a professional dancer behind.
A few days after I decided I needed a new activity to entrench myself in. I needed to do something to ‘rebuild my identity’. So I signed up for a half marathon. Heh.
Now nothing was inherently wrong with this new goal, but the way I approached it was completely off.
I decided I HAD to reshape my identity as an ex-dancer turned runner. I couldn’t possibly just exist as a non-dancer, I needed to have something new that could define me.
Prior to this, mind you, I had never had a pleasurable experience running. As a dancer, I was discouraged from ever running due to the pressure it puts on your joints.
I had a lot of work to do to achieve my goal, and I most certainly worked my booty off. Not only would I stick to my training plan for running, but I would supplement it daily with an additional workout.
This identity crisis came at the worst time. During the big transition into college, I was already dealing with feelings of insecurity and loneliness. That on top of the whole ‘project reshape Zahra’ thing made me feel unworthy and alone.
I can honestly say that probably 40% of my freshman year of college was spent at the gym.
It was one place I could appease those feelings (temporarily) by forcing myself to do things that made me feel accomplished.
Basically, I allowed exercise to cement my sense of self and shape my identity. Who would I be if I wasn’t the girl who ran all the miles or was always on the treadmill?
I had this notion in my head that no one, including myself, would think I was worthy or accomplished if I didn’t keep up a regimented routine that had no room for flexibility.
During high school, I battled an eating disorder which was fueled by the same unhealthy thought patterns. I thought that I was only valued or “worthy” as a skinny person, and that the size of my body defined who I was as a person. Thankfully, I overcame that eating disorder with treatment, but clearly the identity crisis I had didn’t fully escape me- until now.
It took me a year of reflection and listening to God for me to realize that I am not a better person if I beat my half-marathon PR.
I am not a worse person if I gain weight.
These self-made metrics have no relation to my actual worth, purpose, or value as a human being.
I now actually really enjoy long distance running but know that it does not MAKE me. It is something that I do, and I do a lot of things! It does not define me or make me any better or worse of a person.
The weight on the scale doesn’t determine how worthy you are. It doesn’t determine your relationship to God, or your eternal purpose.
It doesn’t make you a better or worse person. It is not an identification number, nor does it define any characteristic or part of you.
Like Timothy says in verse 4:8, Godliness is profitable unto all things, unlike pursuit of purely physical goals that are short-lived and unfulfilling.
You’re always going to try to get a faster mile time, or squat a heavier weight, or weigh a lower number… but If you revolve your purpose and identity around this you will inevitably be unfulfilled and empty.
If you revolve your purpose and identity around God, you won’t be chasing a distant finish line that never stops moving. You will be fulfilled in the faith that you can grow as a person because you have a Creator that has a plan for you and an unyielding love for you.
Although I don’t believe in the term “Godliness” as it stands because I don’t think anyone can ever try to be like God, I do think we can try to emulate the Prophets He has sent down to us and spread the goodness God has ordained us to.
It doesn’t matter what my body can do, but it matters what my soul does and how I act to spread goodness and hope in the world.
Do you find yourself always chasing floating goals? Or searching for new things that will make you feel better about yourself or shape your identity? You’re not alone.
But you can get out of an endless rat race by reminding yourself that you are innately worthy. You weren’t created by accident, and your identity was shaped by a God that loves you and didn’t create you to be stuck in a loop of self-hate and deprecation.