(Warning: I might get a little fired up in today’s post, but have no fear. It’s still me, just a little more…well, fired up. 
)
There’s an enemy that has been attacking women of faith across America.
I call it the number monster.
We’re all pumped up right now with New Years resolutions, right? Gyms across America will bloat from the influx of people vowing to lose weight this year. Weight Watchers will see a huge crowd of people sign up, claiming this will be the year they get their diet on track.
But what will those numbers look like in April?
Now don’t get me wrong, those resolutions are borne from genuine need. How many of us are unhappy with our bodies? With our weight? How many of us are so unhappy with how we look that we avoid doing certain things, going certain places, because of how we look?
How many of us turn down opportunities to serve others because we don’t feel worthy? Or we don’t have the energy?
Trust me, I’ve been there.
Well, ladies, this is the year to change. This is the year to say that a session of Weight Watchers isn’t enough. A three-month gym membership isn’t enough.
What we need is a permanent lifestyle change. A lasting change. And that starts in God’s Word.
“You surely know that your body is a temple where the Holy Spirit lives. The Spirit is in you and is a gift from God. You are no longer your own. God paid a great price for you. So use your body to honor God.” I Corinthians 6:19-20 (CEV)
This Scripture begs the question: How are you using your body to honor God? Are you filling it with junk food that wears it down and clogs its life? Or are you taking care of it as if God indwells it? Are you filling it with good food that gives you energy and health? The kind of energy and health you need to serve to your fullest?
And what about exercise? Are you stagnant day in and day out, letting your muscles atrophy? Or are you building them up, bringing strength and endurance that’s needed to serve God the way He yearns to be served?
You see, I think we make a vital mistake in our efforts to lose weight. We think that it all has to do with us. We set our goals by the numbers. “I’ll lose ___ pounds.” “I’ll drop to size ___.” (And don’t feel alone…I’m just as guilty of this!)
But that’s not our calling. We’re called to see a different perspective–to strive to be our best for HIM. To drop those pounds so we can be the friends and wives and mothers we’re called to be, so we can volunteer more, so we can lend a helping hand without wearing ourselves out.
THAT’S the secret to our true health.
So instead of thinking of our diets and fitness goals as temporary, why not go deeper this year? Why not move beyond our numbers and how they gratify us and ask ourselves this question…
How can I use my improved health for the greater good of the Kingdom?
That’s ultimately the goal behind my Friday posts. As I share fitness and food tips in the coming weeks, my prayer is that they’ll bring you one step closer to serving the One who indwells you.
So, is anyone else with me on this? Did you make any health resolutions this year? How can you spin them so they move beyond you and look heavenward?
