“…your life is hidden with Christ.”
Colossians 3:3
Gaining definition in my legs, arms and back are all good signs that my body is getting stronger and healthier. It feels incredible to know what a strong and agile physique feels like, without a doubt!
Although, the anatomical definition of muscles cannot be the only definition we have as women. Although a lot of blood, sweat and tears go into physical training, it’s not enough because you are more than what you see in the mirror. Yesterday I asked my son who is 4, “Owen, who would God say I am?” He looked up at me like the question was a joke and replied, ” Mommy”. That was easy. As we get older though, we easily make self-discovery a lot bigger than is. It’s automatic to let titles completely define us– daughter, sister, friend, co-worker, gardener, artist, musician, athlete, doctor, and so on. Like muscle definition, titles and hobbies cannot merely be what we hold onto for proof that we are something. It’s great to have those things be a part of us, but according to the Bible, our life, wholeness, freedom and true sense of calling is HIDDEN in Christ.
Why is it hidden? Why does it need to be something unraveled and discovered? Simply because God wants to be the one to define us. He wants to be the one to tell us who we are. He knows that when we hold onto what others [or ourselves] tell us, or when we try to make a name [or a body] for ourselves, our spirit and soul is compressed and the wonders of what God can do in us is limited.
Friends, we’ve all heard of the “fitness journey” but let’s talk about the “faith journey” which has an even more significant outcome.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.” Hebrews 11:1
Faith most certainly ties in with fitness. Fitness takes on the appearance of being super physical. It’s what we see, that’s why we go into these journeys aiming to be toned, sleek and flab-free! I talk about fitness as a very integrated thing…meaning there’s more to you than BODY. Your body holds the abillity to do what you are called to do. You have a mind that is very influenced by your environment. You have a soul that inhabits the body, and that holds dreams, ambitions, and desires. You also have this mighty thing called a Spirit. Your Spirit is where you have the ability to know God! Fitness is all inclusive–body, mind, spirit, and soul! This is where FAITH comes in. Unlike the body, you cannot see FAITH. Faith would’t be faith if you could see it. The benefits far out weigh the perks of physical fitness if you can believe that!
There was a man named Abraham who lived a long time ago, and his story is is written in the Bible. He was a hundred years old, but God filled him in on all of the things that He still had planned for Abraham, including having a child with his infertile wife. When all seemed impossible, Abraham kept BELIEVING and living out His life trusting God and His promises.
“Without weakening his FAITH, Abraham faced the fact that his body was as good as dead…Yet he did not waver through unbelief…but was STRENGTHENED in his FAITH.” Romans 4:19-25
The enemy wants to make us believe that fitness is all about that one thing: booty-poppin’-show-stoppin’ bod. Acknowledge when those thoughts try to own your mind, and let them drive right back out. Instead, let’s focus on the truth and what God defines us by.
We are redeemed, daughter’s of the King, free from the chains of sin and guilt, accepted, Temples of His spirit, friends of Jesus, justified, chosen, inseparable from the love of Christ, and entrusted with a calling. All of which are from God and happen to be ETERNAL.
“…put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; be made new in the attitude of your minds” Ephesians 4:22-24
Abraham was FULLY PERSUADED that God had power to do what He promised. Faith made Him strong in who he was, who God told him he was and in those truths he did not back down. #neverbackdown
If you plan to start a new pattern of movement and health in your life, GO FOR IT! Press into it knowing that there is more to you than BODY. The WHOLE-self needs fine tuning–body, mind, spirit and soul. A bikini body plan, that begins and ends with Summer is just not enough.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15:1-4
Read those verses above again, then come back.
God is our personal trainer–you might want to call him your personal pruner instead! It is GOD who makes us perfect and beautiful. He is our HEALER. He makes us clean by His word. That’s where we will gain a FAITH that is RESILIENT. I know it’s heavy, but I am urging you to do some heavy lifting today. Ready for this? Lift the WORD of God. See what He has to say about who you are and wait to see His plan for your life unfold. Your attitude towards yourself will be made NEW.
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
BRIANNA JOY 