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.