I have often used the phrase, "Why reinvent the wheel?" If it's something that has worked or may work why do something different? Why spend a lot of time figuring out this or that if someone has already done it? Make sense right?
Over the last 8+ months I have learned that reinventing the wheel is necessary if I am going to live the free and disciplined life that God desires. There are so many theories , both good and bad, that one can follow on faith and fitness. Insights from those who have invested a great deal of time and energy in studying God's word and how that word has come alive to them and just as there are many authors who have penned their heartbeat on all things God, there are equally as many who do the same on the topic of fitness. Those who have studied the body, even there own bodies and have found sure fire methods towards good fitness. Most of them usually include steps one can or should take to live a life that deepens your knowledge of and pleases God or develop a particular health habit that can "change your life" if I am willing to do what's required. Many of these are great ideas but I have to ask, are they the best idea for me?
It would be easy for me to take only the insights of others and execute a plan for my faith and fitness but why live a life full of regurgitated information, The word of God is accessible for me, why live off filtered viewpoints when God will open up His heart to me Himself through His word. And it has amazed me at how seeing God through His word has allowed me to see me and how God sees me. It has also help me to discern what's best for my fitness goals and to choose plans that coincide with God's desire for me to live a disciplined life. So when I pick up a book it doesn't determine what I do or what I believe but I determine if it aligns with what God says and if it is a tool that can help me in my journey.
There are no SHORTCUTS on this path, no quick health fixes or instant holiness equations, it's a personal investment of my EVERYTHING, EVERYDAY and no one, no matter how great and knowledgeable they are can replace what God desires to teach me directly about Him and about me. In no way does this mean that I have put down all recreational reading, on the contrary, I have actually started reading more and have come across great books that confirm, re-affirm, challenge, yet align with God's word. This assures me that I will live His life for me, not the regurgitated one.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Harsh Reminders
And she said, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" So he awoke from his sleep, and said, "I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!" But he did not know that the LORD had departed from him. (Judges 16:20)
Last week I had a medical procedure and needed to lay low for about 24 hours. What I didn't anticipate is that 24 hours would turn into 96. I would love to say that I needed all that time to recovery but the reality is, I just simply gave myself a new reason everyday to eat that extra treat or workout less than I should. After several days of this slump, I noticed something, my ignoring God's call for me to be disciplined in this area of my life was not only affecting how I was feeling physically but it started to tamper with my emotions, my mental state and worse my spiritual vitality. Was I slowly headed down the Samson track? I think so.
If you recall (or not) the story of Samson, God blessed this Nazirite from birth with an incredible strength and the command to him was to never cut his hair. When Samson became an adult he fell for a Philistine beauty named Delilah who's goal was to find out his secret so that her people could capture him. Well, eventually sleeping with the enemy wore him down, he revealed his secret to Delilah, she shaved his head and the rest is history. (For the whole story ready Judges 13-16, some pretty riveting reading)
Last week was a harsh reminder of how disobedience and giving into my selfish yearnings can collapse what God is desiring to build in me. Like Samson, I too have my Delilah, she's the symptom to my root problem. I was sharply reminded that I have to be ever vigilant in my pursuit of healthy living. Up until 5 months ago I had lived a pretty sedentary life and 5 months can be washed away in an instant if my Delilah becomes wise to my achilles heal.
It's moments like these that I am so thankful for the Spirit of God that lives me and leads me into all truth. The truth that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and that I am more that a conquer because of His great love for me. My journey is not a journey of sheer will but a journey of deep faith and to avoid my Delilah's trampings, I must choose -daily- to trust the power of God to heal the areas of my life and heart that can be so easily enticed to fail.
Harsh reminder...point taken!!!
Last week I had a medical procedure and needed to lay low for about 24 hours. What I didn't anticipate is that 24 hours would turn into 96. I would love to say that I needed all that time to recovery but the reality is, I just simply gave myself a new reason everyday to eat that extra treat or workout less than I should. After several days of this slump, I noticed something, my ignoring God's call for me to be disciplined in this area of my life was not only affecting how I was feeling physically but it started to tamper with my emotions, my mental state and worse my spiritual vitality. Was I slowly headed down the Samson track? I think so.
If you recall (or not) the story of Samson, God blessed this Nazirite from birth with an incredible strength and the command to him was to never cut his hair. When Samson became an adult he fell for a Philistine beauty named Delilah who's goal was to find out his secret so that her people could capture him. Well, eventually sleeping with the enemy wore him down, he revealed his secret to Delilah, she shaved his head and the rest is history. (For the whole story ready Judges 13-16, some pretty riveting reading)
Last week was a harsh reminder of how disobedience and giving into my selfish yearnings can collapse what God is desiring to build in me. Like Samson, I too have my Delilah, she's the symptom to my root problem. I was sharply reminded that I have to be ever vigilant in my pursuit of healthy living. Up until 5 months ago I had lived a pretty sedentary life and 5 months can be washed away in an instant if my Delilah becomes wise to my achilles heal.
It's moments like these that I am so thankful for the Spirit of God that lives me and leads me into all truth. The truth that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and that I am more that a conquer because of His great love for me. My journey is not a journey of sheer will but a journey of deep faith and to avoid my Delilah's trampings, I must choose -daily- to trust the power of God to heal the areas of my life and heart that can be so easily enticed to fail.
Harsh reminder...point taken!!!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
The Duck Outside My Window
The first time I noticed her she was waddling across the parking lot trying to make sure she and I didn't come to close to one another or perhaps she was trying to disguise her real reason for being there. Her presence seemed odd but I figured she had wandered from her normal habitat. It was about a week later that she once again caught my attention but this time she wasn't running from me and honestly I almost missed her. There she sat, still, in the bush right outside my office window snug tightly in a little nest she had created for her and her nine little eggs, For weeks after my discovery I made a point to look for her and greet her every time I came to church. The sight of her and what she respresnted was beautiful-- a mother caring for, protecting and covering her little offspring.
Last sunday as I exited the church after morning worship I noticed that she was not there. I glanced over into the nest and noticed her nine eggs sitting perfectly. I thought maybe she, like I had assumed of our first encounter, was out getting food but Sunday afternoon turned into Monday evening and Monday evening turned into Tuesday afternoon...still, no duck. Wednesday revealed that three of the nine eggs were missing and this morning I was sad to discover that only three were there and they were cracked open and they contents gone.
When I realized that she wasn't returning and her eggs were daily being snatched and destroyed, God gave me and interesting insight. My health and fitness journey has been successful so far because I have a covering and that covering has been my heart to follow Christ and daily be transformed to be more like Him. This heart of discipleship has been the covering and protection that continually keeps all that God has deposited in me from succumbing to the elements that would sidetrack and destroy, among other things, this call to care for the temple He has given me to be used for His glory. My covering is vital and without the nourishment of God's love and leading of the Holy Spirit my covering, like the mother duck, will disappear leaving the very precious deposits that God has placed in me at risk.
I am so thankful that God would bless me with these deposits (my health, my family, my ministry, just to name a few) that are growing and developing in my life and I look forward to seeing them produce all the things that God has planned.
Last sunday as I exited the church after morning worship I noticed that she was not there. I glanced over into the nest and noticed her nine eggs sitting perfectly. I thought maybe she, like I had assumed of our first encounter, was out getting food but Sunday afternoon turned into Monday evening and Monday evening turned into Tuesday afternoon...still, no duck. Wednesday revealed that three of the nine eggs were missing and this morning I was sad to discover that only three were there and they were cracked open and they contents gone.
When I realized that she wasn't returning and her eggs were daily being snatched and destroyed, God gave me and interesting insight. My health and fitness journey has been successful so far because I have a covering and that covering has been my heart to follow Christ and daily be transformed to be more like Him. This heart of discipleship has been the covering and protection that continually keeps all that God has deposited in me from succumbing to the elements that would sidetrack and destroy, among other things, this call to care for the temple He has given me to be used for His glory. My covering is vital and without the nourishment of God's love and leading of the Holy Spirit my covering, like the mother duck, will disappear leaving the very precious deposits that God has placed in me at risk.
I am so thankful that God would bless me with these deposits (my health, my family, my ministry, just to name a few) that are growing and developing in my life and I look forward to seeing them produce all the things that God has planned.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The Conversation that Changed My World
"Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone" (Mark 16:15) Are the words I heard, and then the question that changed everything, How can you go into all of the world if you can't even cross the street or handle a flight of stairs without getting winded?
"But God", I said with fear, "how am I supposed to do this?"
"Through Me" He replied.
That was the beginning of a conversation that changed my whole world! I have never considered that my faith and fitness were interdependant. But God made it very clear that I can't have one without the other. Loving the Lord my God with all of my heart...soul...mind and...strength wasn't an and/or option, just simply AND. That command has called me to a place of surrender and a constant reminder that my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in me and was given to me by God. I do not belong to myself, God bought me with a high price. So I must honor God with my body. (1Cor 6:19-20 paraphrased)
This journey to health has caught me by surprise because things I would have NEVER considered doing I now love and enjoy. Healthy habits that God is shaping me I would have never thought attainable for a person in the physical condition I had been. Daily I am feeling whole and complete and more important than anything I feel in step with Holy Spirit and aligned with the will of God for my life.
As I continue this journey of faith-fitness, I have come to understand some very precious things. I understand that where my willpower and discipline is limited, His Power to work those things in me are limitless. I understand that my journey will never end because God will not stop leading me and I will not stop seeking the heart of God and striving to Love Him with ALL of my heart, soul, mind and strength. While it may take different turns as I learn the lessons and achieve the goals of certain seasons I know that He has planss for me and will bring them to completion in His time.
"But God", I said with fear, "how am I supposed to do this?"
"Through Me" He replied.
That was the beginning of a conversation that changed my whole world! I have never considered that my faith and fitness were interdependant. But God made it very clear that I can't have one without the other. Loving the Lord my God with all of my heart...soul...mind and...strength wasn't an and/or option, just simply AND. That command has called me to a place of surrender and a constant reminder that my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in me and was given to me by God. I do not belong to myself, God bought me with a high price. So I must honor God with my body. (1Cor 6:19-20 paraphrased)
This journey to health has caught me by surprise because things I would have NEVER considered doing I now love and enjoy. Healthy habits that God is shaping me I would have never thought attainable for a person in the physical condition I had been. Daily I am feeling whole and complete and more important than anything I feel in step with Holy Spirit and aligned with the will of God for my life.
As I continue this journey of faith-fitness, I have come to understand some very precious things. I understand that where my willpower and discipline is limited, His Power to work those things in me are limitless. I understand that my journey will never end because God will not stop leading me and I will not stop seeking the heart of God and striving to Love Him with ALL of my heart, soul, mind and strength. While it may take different turns as I learn the lessons and achieve the goals of certain seasons I know that He has planss for me and will bring them to completion in His time.
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