No one will deny that the automobile is one of the greatest
single invention in all of recorded human history. Travel time
has been reduced from weeks and months to days, and sometimes
hours or minutes, because of it. Yet the problem is that we have
become too dependent on it. Motorized transportation has been
abused.

People will drive their cars to go to the corner store. And what
about the malls? They will literally fight for the opportunity to
park as close to the entrance as possible—even if they have to
park illegally, or in spots designated for the handicapped! No
doubt if people could park in the lobby, they would.

What is the trade-off for the misuse of the automobile? The
opportunity to walk is lost. Walking is great for cardiovascular
conditioning and weight control (which translates into weight
loss for a great majority of people.) America is already a nation
of overfed and under exercised people.

In countries where cars are owned by the wealthy few, people walk
much more than we do here in America. Americans average less than
a mile a day whereas people in other nations average several
miles. No wonder we are a nation of overweight and obese
individuals with bulging waist lines. We are eating more (mostly
the wrong kinds of foods) and exercising less.

I recently had to leave my Ford Explorer at a body shop for
repairs to the rear bumper. When I left my truck at the shop, I
was asked if I needed a ride home. I said “no.” The attendant
then asked me if I was sure. I said “yes,” I was sure. This body
shop is about ½ mile from where I live. I could easily have
gotten a ride home.

God has a plan for each and every one of us. That plan can only
be completely fulfilled when we are physically capable of
performing it.

How could the apostle Paul have fulfilled his mission if he was
overweight, and couldn’t walk a couple of miles without doubling
over from exhaustion and pain? What if his body suffered from
high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or other
crippling medical problems brought on by lack of exercise and
poor eating habits? He probably would have died prematurely
before establishing all of the churches we read about in the New
Testament portion of the Bible!

In saying all of this I am not minimizing the importance of the
automobile. It is a necessity in today’s society. I would be the
first to admit it. But at the same time no one should allow it to
deprive the body of the exercise it needs. Remember the adage
‘use it or lose it?’ Well it’s true. Unused or under utilized
muscles will atrophy and grow weak.

Joseph Elijah Barrett is president of Spirit of Truth Ministries which promotes health and wellness. This article is based on his new book “Living a God-Glorifying Life Through Good Health.” This book may be purchased through Spirit of Truth Ministries at the following link: http://www.spirit-of-truth.com.

Joseph is a certified Nutrition Specialist. He brings his message of health and wellness through exercise and nutrition to community and church groups, book signings and other venues.

Joseph is available for lectures and seminars. He can be contacted at email address: inquiries@spirit-of-truth.com.