This installment of the Fit To Serve series deals with the struggles and the triumphs of our five team members in their continuing quest to become what God has created them to be in spirit, soul and body. Let me re-introduce you to Clay Meeks from Seattle, Washington, Sharon Smith from Greensboro, North Carolina, Mark Breurer from Port Washington, Wisconsin, Kim Winn from Pfluegerville, Texas and Joy Johnson from El Paso, Texas. Each one of these five have been following a daily/weekly personal coaching plan provided to them by me at the beginning of the year.
The original plan for this article was to identify each individual’s struggles toward attaining their personal fitness goals and motivations. However, as time has progressed it has become more apparent that they all share most of the same issues, emotions and circumstances. So I will discuss them with you in a general sense.
STRUGGLE # 1: CONSISTENCY
By far the biggest struggle has been staying consistent day in and day out. Not only is this the biggest struggle, it is also the most important success factor in transforming our bodies developmentally over time. Every single one of our five participants wants to commit the totality of their lives to God. Yet as a result of the circumstances of our modern days and way of life, they aren’t there yet. Each one is still in the process of finding their way in making a biblical approach to physical fitness steadfast and non-negotiable. They are continuing to learn that obedience to God is not an option. If you don’t “feel like” getting your workout done on a particular day….too bad….do it….because it’s not about you…it’s about your loyalty and commitment to God, His plan and purpose for your life. This consistency issue will not go away – it is the greatest battlefield.
STRUGGLE #2: SETTING PRIORITIES AND TIME MANAGEMENT
Another major struggle for our five has been finding the time to adequately exercise and eat right. You have to create priorities and build in margins in your daily life. Coming to the belief and realization that you’re not being selfish in setting apart the necessary time to recover, restore and grow forward by regularly exercising is an incredible hurdle to overcome. Contrary to what many people think, taking the time to exercise and decompress is in actuality an act of love towards your family, friends and employer.
Some of our five are dealing with the financial challenges of staying fit. Traveling to the fitness center and paying the membership dues impacts the family budget. What’s the best decision? Paying off hospital bills or going to the fitness center – the correct answer is obvious. You can’t rob Peter on one hand to pay Paul on the other hand. So what we do in this situation is to design fitness training that can be performed at home with a modicum of equipment. This is exactly what I’m doing for some of our participants who have identified a financial issue.
To be certain there have also been physical fitness triumphs among our five. All of them have continued to renew their resolve in presenting their bodies to God as living and holy sacrifices. All of them realize that beating themselves up emotionally for their falling back at times is not productive, and is in fact, a ploy of the devil. All five have improved in their personal fitness.
In the next installment I will share some specific improvement demographics being achieved among this fab-five. Spring is here which brings a fresh source of energy a new sense of outlook and hope in the air. The Bible encourages all of us, that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Let’s all keep pressing into the Lord and finish strong at the race set before us.
Read the latest journal entries and interact with the five Fit To Serve participants. Click on the links below:
JOY JOHNSON – El Paso, Texas
Joy’s online Fit To Serve Journal . Read it now and interact with her.
SHARON SMITH – Greensboro, North Carolina
Sharon’s online Fit To Serve Journal . Read it now and interact with her.
CLAY MEEKS – Seattle, Washington
Clay’s online Fit To Serve Journal . Read it now and interact with him.
KIM WINN – Pflugerville, Texas
Kim’s online Fit To Serve Journal . Read it now and interact with her.
MARK BREUER – Port Washington, Wisconsin
Mark’s online Fit To Serve Journal . Read it now and interact with him.
