At the beginning of the year I had every resolution in the book: work out, read the bible, take charge of my life, be organized, be honest, be better, healthier, full of life. And while I'm still accomplishing and growing in all of these areas, I've realized something very essential to resolutions, and life ambitions, lately.
I got caught up in the end-goal. The half-marathon that I would race. The body that I would have. The faith that I would have. The life that I would make for MYSELF. But there was an ESSENTIAL element missing.
I'm not a runner. I hate running, actually. I'm a sprinter, because I used to be a gymnast, so long, sustained, endurance activities are not my thing. Especially running. But one of the things on my bucket list is a marathon, so what's a more perfect step to getting there than doing the half marathon at Baylor? Running the Bearathon is a beautiful thing, not only the race, but what it supports. I'm thankful to be able to participate and support incoming Baylor students!
As I began to train, a friend of mine found us a 'training schedule' for working up to the half. We looked at it and were overwhelmed. They want me to run how much a week? Hmm...Don't know if I can do that. But with my new, can-do attitude, I decided to give my ALL. Literally, y'all. My ALL.
Even in the blistering Waco wind, even during the coldest winter in my life, I was going to run. For myself! Because I was empowered, I was able, I am successful. I ran 6 miles in the snow (well freezing rain), and if I could do that, so quickly into our program, I could run the half at 9 minutes a mile! (A really hard goal for someone just learning to run long-distance). I could do ANYTHING. Because I was healthy. I was fit. I was becoming a runner.
Until the all too quick down-fall. Four to five weeks into our training, I realized I was wheezing when I was breathing, my upper back problems had come back and it hurt to breathe and carry around my backpack. I suspected exercise-induced asthma. Either way, I wasn't going to quit. I went for a run the next day, even wheezing, in pain, and without breath.
It wasn't even me who realized I needed to stop. It was my training buddy, and dear friend who YELLED at me. YOU CAN'T RUN IF YOU CAN'T BREATH! Oh. Right, probably not...
But I was SO caught up in accomplishing, in doing something once for MYSELF that I forgot to take care of my body. To take care of the temple of the Lord. I forgot my Savior. I forgot that it was only by His strength that I was able. That I was fit. That I was healthy.
My health, my wellness, my ability to be active, to breathe, to train is all Christ's. I am not my own but His. It is a beautiful thing that I will be finishing the Bearathon this year, but it is MORE of a beautiful thing because Christ has ENABLED me! It is only through Him that I have life and breath and salvation. Relying on Him is the only thing that will always be stable, that will help me be healthy, and 'take charge' of my life. He is my rock and my refuge.
Learning to treat my body like a temple is more than finding the IDEAL. It's more than the end-goal. It's about the balanced process. It's about learning when to take a break. Learning where the balance between over-doing it and laziness is. It's about eating healthy, but having dessert every once in a while. Finding the balance between under- and over-indulgence is where we find life. That's where living takes place. Rejoicing in the good, and not OVERdoing it.
Take a break today for me, and REST. Really, truly rest. And pray, thanking the Father for all He's given you in this life. Because He's given you everything. How beautiful is that?
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. --1 Corinthians 6:19-20
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