The Time is NOW

My Journey to June is finally here and destination El Salvador awaits. The time has gone by so quickly and I have been horrible at my postings. Note to self... blogging is not my strong suit! Aside from my lack of discipline in this blog- the journey that I have been so blessed to be a part has been so encouraging and humbling. I have learned a great deal about myself and what it means to discover and develop God-given gifts. My team is so diverse in their talents, but one thing that is consistent is their boldness in their faith. Each has a heart for God and a willingness to serve others. Our team meetings have put me on a roller coster of emotions... I've had laughing attacks that have made my stomach ache (their interpretive dance moves are impressive) to tears during prayer. All I know, is I can't wait to see how God uses us in El Salvador. 

I will keep you updated!  

Benchmark

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2

I just want to do God’s will. I say this so often and at times I get hung up on the contemplating if I am in God’s will. Did I make the right decision? Is this the best that God has for me? Am I where God is moving?  

In this process to El Salvador, I have been overly swamped by life, duties and stuff. Often when I start to question God’s will for my life, I am quickened to a mental checklist to give me the reality of where I am at in the “renewing of my mind.”  What’s my prayer time like? What’s the depth of my study of the Word? How am I with fellowship? Am I serving? Is the world out weighing the cross? What are my responses? What are my daily patterns and behaviors? What consumes my thoughts?

Similar to a Benchmark Workout in Crossfit or a test for one of my course studies, this checklists reveals to me what I need to know and do.  More and more the requirement of being disciplined is evident in my race with the Lord. I have experienced the power, peace, joy and favor of being in the middle of God’s will and I want it all the time. But it is not something that is made permanent by happenstance, like anything of great value and importance it’s requires an action..... Not conforming, to be transformed in the renewing of what I think and then I can test and approve. And renewing what I think is to focus on and be like-minded with Christ.... and I know what this looks like because of the Word.... and I hold on to this truth "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things."

A Tummy Ache of Truth

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put it into practice.

-Philippians 4:9a 

This week, instead of race season giving me insight on my relationship with the Lord my relationship with the Lord gave me insight on being fit.

The other day I had an intense workout that left me feeling accomplished and ready to tackle the remainder of my week.  My increase of hardcore exercise and careful eating has been paying off. With a particular goal in mind, I’ve been staying pretty disciplined.

In comes the bag of chocolate chips.

Voice in Erin’s Head: You’ve been working out hard, pushing yourself.                                                                        It’s OK, not that big of a deal. You’ll work it off tomorrow.

It sounded about right to me, so I grabbed the bag and ate handfuls and handfuls only to return to more handfuls.

You’re probably thinking, “lighten-up … it’s just chocolate chips- not that big of a deal.” You’re right- it really wasn’t that big of a deal UNTIL I repeated the behavior the following day. 

The whole truth:

1. Nestlé Chocolate Chips = ingredients that make my tummy hurt. 
2. I am in the midst of a fitness challenge with a wager I am NOT willing to loose. 
3. I am on a roll of eating balanced, making it easier to deny the bad and say yes to the good.

Incomes the little lesson on making better choices and having discipline, courteous of the Lord.

I was a bit irritated that I made the decision to eat almost an entire bag of chocolate chips. I was really frustrated with myself.

Voice in Erin’s Head: Why did you eat the chocolate chips? Why would you waste your                                                 progress on something so stupid? Next time….                                    

The next time of how I was going to make better food choices was interrupted with a reminder of my relationship with God.

Voice in Erin’s Head: Do you leave church to go and shoot-up a needle? Do you go and                                                 cuss out the nearest person after an hour of worship? Do you spend hours gossiping?

No! When I leave church or after reading my bible I don’t go and indulge myself in some crazy sinful behavior. Actually, I really try to make decisions that are edifying to me as a person (TRY is the key phrase). I go to church to grow in my relationship with God. I read my bible to know Him better. What would be the point of me going to church, participating in a bible study or reading my bible if I was just going to live my life unchanged? It just seems so pointless. Similarly this could be said about my eating habits. What’s the point of working out when all I am doing is trying to work off what I eat? In my mind it’s counterproductive. I am working out to be strong, to function better and to feel good. It’s all about growth. The discipline I have with making choices that bring me closer to God should be the same mindset I have when making choices that are most healthy for my body as a whole.  

Discipline In Race Season

As a runner, competitor and one who is seemingly interested in being healthy (not to mention dealing with major food sensitivities) I get the meaning of the word DISCIPLINE. To be physically fit and to treat your body well means self-control, to push through excuses, to know your purpose and have a vision. Never have I regretted the outcome of getting up super early to do 150 consecutive wall balls. Never have I regretted my tedious running schedule while I am running a half marathon. But, I have regretted eating chips and salsa, knowing that I am not suppose to eat corn. I have regretted the mornings in which I hit the alarm to snooze, knowing I am suppose to be at CrossFit. Discipline is hard because it requires something different of us. Many times it is a battle just for me to make the right decision. I am prone to dragging my feet. I complain and get frustrated, questioning why I am doing what I am doing. Good news... it is temporary! I have learned that consistently choosing to say yes to the things that need to be yes and no to the things that need to be no gets easier and it reinforces my goals.

Why, you ask, am I rambling about having discipline when it comes to taking care of myself?

Lately, I have been reading and rereading Hebrews 11 and 12. These two chapters talk about faith that endures. A few Sundays ago, my pastor pointed out that the scripture calls our relationship with God "a race that has been set before us." As a Christian, I have said so many times my walk with the Lord. But is it really a walk? I could go for a walk right this minute, without having much thought to it and physically be okay, whereas running a marathon right at this second would require so much more of me. I have seriously been sitting on the idea that living out my faith is a race and I am to run it with endurance. I know from experience to have endurance means I have to be disciplined before and through my race.

So, back to my initial question, Why am I rambling about having discipline when it comes to taking care of myself? My response…The same mentality I have for being physically fit should be the same way I approach my race with the Lord. Each day I wakeup and choose to make decisions that are healthy for my body, with the mindset, of Is what I am doing now going to be profitable? Now, more than ever, I desire to do things that yield results that are beneficial. There are easy days and some that are grueling. I know this about training and it gives me the assurance that I can push through whatever is temporary. My discipline will be worth it when I finish my race well. This illustration of running a race has challenged me on so many levels in terms of how I approach living a life that reflects the heart of God. So here it begins, my JOURNEY to JUNE, to make choices to be spiritually fit!

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witness, let us lay aside every weight , and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith... 
-Hebrew 12: 1-2a