For the past 47 days, ever since Easter I have challenged myself to run every day. The parameters were that I must at least stay on the treadmill for 30 min and I must reach a minimum distance of 3 miles. At first I ran at a steady pace, accomplishing the three miles by a low intense jog/run. After about ten days of this routine I decided to start HIIT training (click here for a definition). This is a great cardio method and it is the method I prefer. Mainly because I really dislike running. I dread following my lifting with running. This may seem strange, but it made my challenge that much more of a .......well......challenge.
Some wonder why I picked 47 days. The answer is very simple. 47 is the number of days from the day after Easter to my birthday. I wanted a goal I could accomplish but that would still push me. Nothing special will happen on my birthday, I just knew it was a day that I would likely not run.
At first many friends expressed concern about the strain I was putting on my body. In reality, they were right and I knew it. I have worked out for years and I understand recovery, rest, and injuries that can occur because of over training. What makes this worst is my left knee has been damaged since May of 2009 and gets stiff and very sore often (I'll get it looked at one day....I know....I know....). All this is just to say I knew the odds were stacked against me and I was not following my normal protocol for exercising. So why did I do this?
For those who know me well you know I am big on spiritual formation. This is basically spiritual disciplines, the things that you do regularly to keep a close relationship with God. I contend that this requires self discipline, a willingness to learn about God and grow close to Him, and denying self. The same can be said when we take care of our bodies. The unique aspect about human kind is that God has created us with a spirit. The animals were created with a soul and a body, but we have been given a spirit as well as a soul and a body. Before we can properly answer the question of how to worship God, we must first understand who we are --You are a spirit, who has a soul, and you live in a body. Look at 1 Thess. 5:23 - Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. I feel in the church we overlook gluttony as a sin. Now I am not talking about weight, shape, size and so on, but just the issue itself. When I am in the Spirit, doing my devotions, praying, and reading God's Word, my life is not perfect, but I have a joy and a peace and a closeness that no one can take away. When I am taking care of my body, eating right, exercising, and maintaining self control, my body, brain, and energy levels feel good even though my body may not be the perfect photoshop bodies you see in magazines. You see, we are to worship God with our bodies. In Romans 12:1,2 it says - Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. Now there are many interpretations you can take from this, but when I am presenting my body as a living sacrifice (by denying the good taste of an In and Out burger, unhealthy snacks, and laziness by not exercising) I feel closer to God.
Please do not misunderstand my point. Do I eat fast food and unhealthy snacks sometimes? Of course I do, but I will say that because I am in a routine and have done the healthy thing for so long, it is easier to resist these things. The same way with sin. We still sin, but when we are close to God it is easier to resist temptation and do the right thing. This is my personal feelings on health and spirituality and how I feel they relate. I am encouraged when people encourage me. I am encouraged when I see others get excited and begin their own healthy routines. So going back to the original point of why did I do this when I knew it is not a conventional way to exercise (no rest between days)? It is the same as when Jesus was tempted in the desert after fasting for 40 days. We can all say that we should not fast for 40 days (and besides we're not Jesus), but I can say that while human wisdom says Satan tempted Him at His weakest point, I say that Satan tempted Him at His strongest. His body was weak but his spirit was so strong. After sacrificing his body and denying His hunger, He was spiritually ready for anything. So for me, after running and wearing out my legs for 47 days straight, I feel strong and close to God (as a result of my running being my living sacrifice presented to God).
Lastly...whats my next challenge? I think that will be a secret.......
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