I’ve been on a diet since 2005.
At the time, I realized I had gained over 30 pounds since college and I decided I needed to be more proactive about my weight and overall health. You can read about my initial weight loss journey here. (https://bit.ly/Mar05-LD)
Since losing those 30 pounds fifteen years ago, I have found that keeping the weight off isn’t easy.
There are so many forces working against us, including, but not limited to donuts, chocolate, french fries, chips, cookies, ice cream, pizza and cheesecake.
Photo by Jae Park on Unsplash
There are other non-food forces working against us as well, including lower metabolism and energy levels, slower recovery rates, and of course, Netflix.
The truth is that losing weight and maintaining fitness requires a certain level of surrender. I’m free to eat whatever I want and exercise as little as I want (or not at all), but every choice has its consequences. If I want to maintain a certain weight and fitness level, it will require some sacrifices and some intentionality.
With my 55th birthday approaching, I decided to once again embark on the fitness roller coaster in my attempt to lose 10 pounds. If I’m being honest though, my interest is not just in losing 10 pounds. What I’d really like is to get rid of this spare tire around my waist. I’d like to look different!
Photo by Renee Fisher on Unsplash
I’m four weeks into this current program and every day I’m reminded why so many people give up. It’s HARD work. And while I’ve made some progress on the weight loss portion of the goal, I’m not sure I’ve made any changes to my waistline as my desired 6-pack still looks more like a keg!
I’m reminded that transformation isn’t immediate. Change takes time.
I think that’s true in our spiritual lives as well.
Years ago, I heard a speaker ask this question: “What do you want to become?”
He said that the choices we make today shape the person we will become in the future. I remember him saying these memorable words, “Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.”
In Matthew 16:24, Jesus said to his disciples,
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Many people become Christians because they want forgiveness and eternity in heaven. They want the eternal benefits that come after they die. This isn’t bad or wrong, but Scripture is clear that Jesus has a different purpose for those who follow Him – TRANSFORMATION.
Jesus’ desire is that we would become more like him – that we would be a reflection of His character to those around us. The theological word for this is sanctification, which simply means that over time, my life becomes more and more like the life of Jesus.
Sanctification isn’t easy though, because it requires surrender, discipline and intentionality, just like dieting. This is why Jesus said that those who would follow Him must DENY themselves. If we want to change spiritually (and physically), we have to deny that part of us that just wants to sit on the couch eating donuts and binge-watching Netflix!
Photo by Tomasz Wozniak on Unsplash
In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul compares the Christian life to a race. In order to win, strict training is required. Paul says that he beats his body and makes it his slave so that he might run the race and win!
Paul’s language shows the reality that our bodies don’t necessarily want to comply with our demands for discipline and training. We know this intuitively when it comes to fitness training or other skills like musical talent, but we don’t always think of our spiritual growth in the same way.
As Jen and I continue to minister to Young Professionals, we’re asking them this question, “What do you want to become?”
As they wrestle with the challenges of becoming the Christ-followers they desire, our job is to come along-side them, as coaches, and provide encouragement and support to help them “win the race.”
How about you?
What do you want to become?
How are you doing in this race Paul described? Are you winning or are you finding it to be a struggle?
If you’d like to share your thoughts, concerns or prayer requests, you can reach out to us through the Prayer Tab!
Butterfly Photo by Suzanne D. Williams on Unsplash
The Lowedown 