In order for a treadmill to have its intended effect on your physical health, you must bring your heart into close proximity with the treadmill. You must engage with the treadmill. No one else can do this for you and positively affect your heart.
In Luke 8, Jesus compared the word of God to seed. Some of the seed that is sown falls on the rock, and as it grows up, it withers away, because it has no moisture (8:6).
In order for God’s word to have its intended effect on your spiritual health, you must bring your heart into close proximity with the Bible. You must engage with the God who gave the Bible. No one else can do this for you.
“The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.” (8:13)
It’s one thing to get motivated by a treadmill sales pitch. It’s another thing entirely to engage with the treadmill, day after day after day. If it comes to serve as nothing more than an additional clothes rack, it cannot enhance the health of your heart.
Similarly, it’s one thing to hear and joyfully receive “good news” of forgiveness, purpose, and hope. It’s another thing entirely to engage with Jesus, day after day after day. If God’s word sits in the back seat of your car, it cannot enhance the health of your soul. To expect otherwise is akin to wondering why the seed sitting on a rock never produced a piece of fruit.