Faith and Fitness

I love following Jesus. I've been a Christ follower since I was 13 years old. Is it hard at times? Yes.  Worth it? Yes.  Do I struggle following Jesus.  Sure do! But knowing I have a source...no a someone to go to whenever life is good and ugly  gives me such peace. Knowing that the creator of the universe KNOWS me and cares for ME.  With that being said,  I need to take care of this body that Christ has given me.  So thats where fitness comes into play. 

I have always worked out as long as I could remember.  I paid for my own gym membership in high school and loved working out.  It was MY time.  But I remember when that took a different turn and I became obsessed with working out later in life. I was in college and married to my dream guy.  The idea of needing to be thin was put into my mind. I honestly don't know how it crept in, but it did. Satan sure knows how to do that doesn't he?  
I was a "gym rat."  Yes, I didn't have kids so it allowed me to spend 2 hours at the gym. But my passion for fitness was driven by selfish desires, not Christ honoring.   Thinking back I had SO many opportunities to meet people at the gym, build relationships that could of been avenues for me to share Christ.  But because my motive at the gym was for ME, I didn't even think along those lines. We are at the gym working on YOUR health, but it can be so much more then just that. 

Over the years God has given me a passion for people and fitness.  I didn't know how those two could ever go together but they can and have!

I want people to understand that God loves them SO much and that God wants the best from them. When we are working on our health we have more energy to do what God has called us to do.  

Ephesians 2:10 " For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."


Just like following Christ is a discipline, taking care of your body is a discipline. Is it going to be hard? YES.  The days you don't want to workout will be a struggle. The physical/health discipline doesn't just happen over night.  We must be intentional about both following Christ AND taking care of our bodies. Don't get me wrong...spiritual discipline is much more valuable for the Kingdom then physical discipline,but they go hand in hand!  You can do more for Christ when you take care of your body that He gave you. 

Love what Rick Warren says about taking care of your body:

Keeping your body in shape is a spiritual discipline. It’s not just about losing a few pounds, wanting to live longer, or trying to look nicer. God created your body, Jesus died for it, the Holy Spirit lives in it, your body is connected to Christ, and it’s going to be resurrected one day. When it is, God’s going to hold you accountable for how you managed what he gave you.

What is fitness to you?
Maybe God is calling you to change your idea of what it looks like.
Or maybe God is asking you to start a running club with some people and have a short devotion time before that.
Or start a gym in your garage and invite people to workout with you.
DO LIFE WITH PEOPLE.  Show the love of Christ through your fitness journey and see what He can do. 

ME