A Whole Body Approach
Oh hey, short on time? No worries! I'd love to join you on your commute or daily walk/run, or shoot, even while you take care of that to-do list. We can't let these things get in the way of this friendship. It's just starting to get good! Click below to listen to the blogcast.
Can I share a personal struggle with you?
Life is so good and so full right now. Will is a big part of this. YOU are a big part of this. A literary agent who believes my work is worth publishing is a big part of this. So when I'm not working or serving, I'm using any available time I have left to write. When I make progress with writing, I reward myself with wedding planning.
Truly, I see it as a reward. Not a have-to, but a get-to.
But that also means I'm living in a lot of details these days. My day job is a sea of details in itself. Add a few more plates to juggle and something has to give.
Unfortunately, I've noticed it's been my fitness routine lately. That's not great for this soon-to-be bride. But, it's not just about looking good for the wedding, it's also about feeling good and strong and having energy so I can continue to take care of these details God has given me in this season.
Though the plates we're juggling may be different, I'm wondering if you feel a bit like this too? Something is slipping.
In recent years, I've learned this: every part of our lives are connected. Our physical, emotional, mental, financial, spiritual - it's all interconnected. We must take care of not just one part of us but our whole being. For this reason, we're going to spend some time talking about the overlap between our faith and our fitness.
In the meantime, let's be intentional to think about where we are now and a tangible next step to help strengthen this connection. I'll go first:
I want to maintain rhythm.
Fitness next step for maintaining rhythm - Drinking enough water so I'm refilling my 40 oz cup twice a day
Faith next step for maintaining rhythm - Being washed in the LIVING water of God's truth daily. My middle school girls are reading the Bible in a year through the Bible Project Study Plan on YOUVersion, so I'm committing to this too.
I want to strengthen my core.
Fitness next step for a stronger physical core - 100 flutter kicks/day (4 kicks = 1)
Faith next step for a stronger spiritual core - Intentional prayer time at the start and end of my day
I want to strengthen my arms.
Fitness next step for stronger arms - 100 arm exercises/day; kayaking twice a week as weather allows
Faith next step for stronger arms - Practice carrying one another's burdens and be intentional in following up with them regularly to see how I can intercede with prayer and offer support
I want to strengthen my legs.
Fitness next step for stronger legs - 100 lunges/day; 100 band walks a day
Faith next step for stronger legs - In areas where I've tiptoed in faith, I want to step with more boldness. I want to move forward with supernatural power and grace.
What about you? In what ways do you want to get stronger? How can this apply to your physical body as well as your spiritual walk with God?
Remember, if we miss a day or a couple, we don't toss in the towel, we just begin again today. "Begin again today" - may this be our mantra as we soak in this truth:
For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. - 1 Timothy 4:8
Let's keep this in check. Fitness goals are important and help us live out our purpose but spiritual strengthening is where we have eternal value.
This is only the beginning, friend. Stay tuned, we have a lot more to dive into from here.
As we strengthen our physical bodies, may we see our faith be strengthened in new ways, too. May our joy for the fitness and faith training expand and lead us into greater discipline in these areas, and may peace befriend us as we remember where our eternal value lies. May we be intentional to take the day of rest as God ordained in the beginning.
P.S. If you're needing to shake up your fitness routine, why not try a free introductory class near you? You can check out my experience here >
The good life, well it starts with a good day. Then another. Then another. Let's choose to live #TheGoodDay one day at a time.
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