Re-define yourself: One word at a time

Romans 12:2 - Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but 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.

The other day I while I was driving I heard an advertisement for a podcast of a theological teacher I admire. This was the second or third time I heard this particular advertisement and It dawned on me why I was getting so agitated. I heard this woman describe herself as a middle age woman ( in her 50s like me) and then went on to say, "which means my hair is chemically dependent and my favorite pants are stretch pants."

If that is the story we keep putting out there, I want a new story. That's his-story. Not His-story. The thoughts I have shape the way I think and on those thoughts, I act. I learned in my mid-forties, I was living the story of my childhood, which was created and shaped by my parents story which was created by their parents story and so on and so on and so on. A story is filled with words that bring to life characters, worlds, storylines and wonder. Why do we use them so carelessly in our daily living, especially when speaking about ourselves. I am not talking conceit, I am talking respect. I am talking about honor and gratitude for the person God has shaped me to be. I have been hand-crafted by God. Who am I to describe myself in a way that dishonors the Creator of the Universe? It seems like such a small thing, but I have come to learn, little things are not small things and over time it's the small careless words and phrases repeated over and over that become our beliefs. I want to choose better.

I am not old, I am wise.

I do not have wrinkles, I have laugh lines.

I do not have stretch marks, I have children.

I do not have your body, I have my body.

I am not picky, I am deliberate.

I don't have to, I get to.

It's a privilege, not a burden.

It's an honor, not an inconvenience.

Let's select words that enhance our lives, rather than binding us to outdated concepts and beliefs. We believe what we think, and we act on those beliefs. In my experience, achieving a different result requires a change in thinking. It's straightforward, but not easy.

PASSION, PROFESSION, PERSONAL CHOICES VS. PURPOSE

"Faith is like a muscle; as you exercise a muscle and wear it out, it grows and develops. There is a sense in which God will bring you to a place where He will almost exhaust your faith. He does this in order to build it." A friend sent this to me and the only thing I know about its origin is , it came from a YouVersion Bible Plan.

I can track with that, but man, its a scary thought that God, the Creator of the Universe, is putting His Time and His Energy into exhausting my faith. I mean as a fitness professional, I often push my participants to exhaustion, knowing that: 1) can do more then they think they can and: 2) they have to do more than they think they can to get stronger. It really is that simple. However, this is small potatoes compared to God pushing me to my limits. Truth be told, I am fearful of the Divine Pain God thinks necessary for me to grow spiritually in areas of my life where my faith and trust are weak. On my best days, I am excited and willing to show up wherever God needs me to do His Will. But sadly, often when things don't go my way, suffer a roadblock or am just plain cranky, I realize I am only willing as long as it doesn't exceed my comfort level of uncomfortable. When things are not going "according to my plan" I let the enemy get hold of my thoughts and will start thinking things like: "If I can't show up the way I want to, in my time and talents to do His Will, then forget it, I'm out." I start thinking WHAT I do defines HOW I do it. Stay with me here. My PURPOSE is the main attraction and is not bound to my passion, profession or personal choices (if you haven't seen the movie SOUL, I highly recommend you do). These are independent characters of one another, and any one of them, at any time, in any order, sequence or grouping, will show up on the Main Stage and move the Show along - as GOD sees fit. So what is my purpose if it's not my passions, profession or personal choices? My purpose is to love God and love others, the way Jesus taught. Period. Not the romantic love we have all been sold on. No, the love that Jesus taught was Agape love. Selfless, sacrificial , unconditional and with no strings attached.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 describes love perfectly. Love is patient, kind, not jealous, boastful, proud or rude. It does not demand its own way (take note here Kai) or irritable and does not keep a record of being wronged. It never gives up, loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance. Who is God? God is Love. When I show up in this way, I show up with and for God. My purpose is to love my neighbors (family friends & community both near and far) not romantically but practically. With patience, tolerance, kindness and forgiveness - regardless of how I feel because of certain circumstances in my life. Ok, let's be real. That is a tall order. I cannot do this on my own. I need Jesus to filter out my ego, or I will let justification, resentments and pride get in the way of showing up for others in love. When I remember to ask God to help me live my life purposefully and practically according to His Will, it's been my experience that He takes care of the details of my life both big and small. Divine Intervention is not magic, it's a Miracle. There is nothing fake about it. It's not an illusion. It's unexplainable by natural laws, so therefore not transferable by words. I've got to live out the practice of spiritual love to experience the the true depth of it. Which means working against my feelings often. When I do God's Work, He sees to the business of my work. This has been my experience. I have been reminded through tough Personal Training sessions with God, that the days where my passions, profession and personal choices are waiting backstage for their entrance, I still have a part to play on God's Stage,

STAY F.I.T. SERVE OTHERS. HAVE FUN.

Ekklesia F.I.T.

.