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By Brad Bloom, Publisher
My dad called it “the zero factor”. On the other side of it lies a whole new kind of strength. Dreaded by all yet desired above all. The place you’ll never find through your own seeking, effort or training but most certainly the place where you must find yourself alone, incapable and lost.
It’s that time in life where your worst pain and driest emptiness can finally find a healing and hydration that fills completely then overflows. It’s when your weakness is so complete, so utterly depleting that you can’t grab hold and embrace the profound strength of God. You just can’t.
Heart healthy, muscular strength, aerobic endurance, training knowledge … If you think that is real strength you are certified wrong! You can get that just about anywhere. That’s what WE can DO. Diets are doable. Greatness is achievable. Gains come from hard work.
You can’t have a clue what this strength is about until it grabs hold of you. Like Coki Cruz is experiencing it takes you out of your comfort zone into a much deeper baptism where you realize that God's faithfulness demands you rely on Him. When your life gets turned upside down that is a good thing.
Click above and listen to the song Kingdom Upside Down by Morgan Cryar as you continue reading.
KINGDOM UPSIDE DOWN
The paradox is true even though we can’t fully understand it. In fact it is truly transformative exactly because it is beyond us.
Let me use fitness as a window for you to see what I mean. CPT – It’s a big deal! If you want really solid help with your physical fitness you don’t just want a personal trainer. You want a CPT, a Certified Personal Trainer. They have studied and successfully completed programs by quality research-driven science-based organizations.
The Top 5 Personal Trainer Certifications
ACE – American Council on Exercise
NASM – National Academy of Sports Medicine
ISSA – International Sports Sciences Association
ACSM – American College of Sports Medicine
NSCA – National Strength and Conditioning Association
Your grandma (or other older adult) may not have any of these certifications but to get Certified STRONG! you can learn from them too. That's inter-generational fitness.
There are also certified dieticians, life coaches, counselors, … You get the idea. If you can name them you can find them. AND- while they’re absolutely one of the best means to build the strength that you need and desire they aren’t the only way. You can achieve outcomes on your own – many do.
Katie Spotz is an adventure/endurance athlete. As you read and listen to her story you’ll begin to better understand that even the most incredible and well-trained physical strength to endure and achieve record-setting impact has limits.
Pay close attention now. To go beyond what we “know” into what we can’t understand and yet by faith we innately crave requires a transformation found only in the greater strength of God. You’ll never get it from anyone or anywhere. It comes only from God and only when you get to the zero factor. It is a transformation uniquely exclusive to you but always about others. This transformation produces the certification. It is what gives you the strength and ability – the mandate to BE LIFE. Once you’ve got it you’ve got to give it.
HOW?
God gives you incredibly strong tools you can use to help others one-on-one in the moment and ongoing. Engage your spiritual eyes and ears to OBSERVE what you can’t see in the “gym” – that place where you live life and “train” with others to get stronger each day. Develop the simple mentality of being a first responder with the power of PRAYER. Go beyond paleo and vegan by not only feeding-on but also serving-up to others the raw NUTRITION of the Bible. Discover how Christ owns “no judgement” as you make a commitment to go way beyond yourself and passionately personify COMPASSION. And --- when it’s obvious that someone needs help then what? You can be the life of Christ to INTERVENE.
These aren’t the easily recognizable traits of the physically strong – the visible definition and vitality of a healthy physique. These are critical qualities that God will forge from the deepest part of you that you never knew existed.
Starve for it. Ache for it. Pray for it. Run toward it with joy! Definitely don’t be afraid. Love the danger. Your destiny lies way beyond the “want to”. Be humbled, amazed and ready to be Certified STRONG!
WHAT DO YOU THINK? ARE YOU READY?
We want to hear from you. CONTACT US and briefly share how you've hit the zero factor and how God has helped you to become Certified STRONG! We also encourage you to post a Facebook comment below so you can be part of this conversation right here on this page as well as on your own Facebook page. Be sure to include the hashtage #alotmorethanmuscles
Click and listen to the song Danger In Loving You by Tom Howard as you consider the following questions for personal reflection and small group discussion.
1. What does "the zero factor" mean to you? Describe how you experienced it and how it transformed your life. How would you characterize the danger in loving Jesus Christ?
2. Consider the five incredibly strong tools that are listed above that you can use to help others one-on-one. Recount an experience how one or more of them have shaped and guided your interactions with someone. Fitness Is much more than just exercise and good health. How does faith in God shape your interactions and conversations with others? What do you feel are the real strengths you have in God that you can give to others? To be ready to go further, what do you feel you need?
