Even as Our Soul

Starting my fitness journey you would not believe I was actually into fitness most of my life.  As a teen I ran track, played basketball and soccer.  I even joined the military and would run up to 7 miles at any given day. At the time I was not saved and came to know Christ after joining the military in 1997.  It was during this time that I learned how to cultivate a relationship with God and how to be a Christian. Not once did I consider since my salvation how important my health was. To add to this I met my husband and I had two beautiful children. Still being on this fitness journey I was less consistent because my family, studies and services became more of a priority with teaching bible studies and teaching our children. Slowly but surely my health was on a decline.  Finally in 2011 I took back my fitness journey and was able to focus on my health because we no longer had the responsibility of a church plant and our family dynamic shifted.  This did not take away my love for the gospel but it did reveal that we needed to create margins in our lives that prevent burn out. Burnout is what we experience when we are lacking balance in our lives and more focused on the things that are good or beneficial in excess.  While in Arkansas in 2011 my passion for fitness was fueled.  I started training and doing right with my health and was getting major results!! With my husband working the hours he worked I was able to focus on training.  Now that he has retired we both are on the same journey.  Health is a beneficial and necessary part of our lives just like prayer and family time.  I even started a women’s Lifegroup that focused on health and wellness teaching women about their bodies as well as the word. There was nothing better then to be able to share my passion with others.  Currently I am focusing on getting my own results and hopefully I can reach others in their fitness journey. This is what life is all about though.  I had to realize that I was off balance in my faith and personal life.  I was devoting 70% to my life, faith and service and 30% to where ever I could. Though I was serving and helping I wasn’t making time for the right things like study, worship and health. We often get that mixed up when we think that we can serve and believe it counts as spiritual food.  It’s so important to Make time to study your word and time to get your health in line.  God doesn’t want us lacking or without in any area… the key though is to create a life you don’t need a vacation from. How much margin do you include in your schedule? Do you believe in doing a daily personal devotional each day to feed your spirit man? Wholesome balance is the end goal and it is pleasing to God.  I am not saying drop everything but I am encouraging wisdom. 3 John 1:2 says Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. As you can see God does not want us to master our spirits but to be healthy as well. Healthy doesn’t necessarily mean a perfect physique. However it does mean whole without infirmity and free from gluttony. Phillipians 4:5 Says let your moderation and gentleness be Know to all men the Lord was at hand. This lets us know that God is calling us to balance in our lives. Don’t forget to take care of your body.  As busy as some of us may be with our jobs, families, ministry and more, we must be confident enough to turn some responsibilities away for our own growth and stability. There are 24 hours in a day and we must make each moment count by prioritizing or responsibilities and sometimes that means saying no. Saying no doesn’t make you a bad person. In the end it makes you a stronger person.  To the ones who are committed to serve and assist don’t forget to create margin and take moments to cultivate a living relationship with God and the Holy Spirit and to enjoy life!!!