Live with Purpose or Die Trying!

Here’s a fun thought: How do you think you’re going to die?

It’s a fact of life. It’s inevitable. Even though we all live different lives, follow different paths and are dealt different cards we all end up dying.

The other day I found myself at the longest red light in town and began reading the airbag warning. As I read I thought to myself I sure hope that I’ll never have to use them. A couple of weeks ago I was informed of someone who had just been diagnosed with cancer and I began wondering what, if any, form of cancer I might one day get or will I have a stroke, develop a form of diabetes or die in a car accident. Which after any thought like that comes the fearful, but honest thought: How am I going to die? Of course quickly followed by the want to just live in a bubble or compound where everything was sterile and outlined in bubble wrap and no one has any violent tendencies or prone to accidents.

Wouldn’t it put your mind at ease to know how and when your end would come or even decide to live life ‘safe,’ free from any risk or to choose to follow every doctor’s report about eating ‘this super food’ or try ‘that new drug’ so you could prevent X?

The sad fact is that there is nothing more we can do to prevent death or rid our lives of fear except to simply make the most of each day and remind ourselves that if we have the Big Guy in our corner there is nothing for us to fear (psalms 118:6). It’s easier said than done, but if we have a belief in Him, and trust in the Holy Spirit in our lives, nothing will be impossible for us. We can move mountains, live life fully and without having to just lay it up. It’s through the Spirit that we have been given the strength to overcome anything by the spirit of power, love and self-discipline (2 Tim 1:7) that we have been given by God. But it comes into our lives, and into our hearts, when we choose to accept this relationship with God and pray for the Holy Spirit to make us stronger – to be more Christ like in all that we do.

It’s a great thought to reflect on this Lenten season. Let go of our fears regardless of what those may be. Whether it’s the fear of snakes, heights, being shot down by a girl, clowns, complacency, falling flat on your ass or even death lift it up in prayer and move mountains with reckless abandon. It is said that one of the greatest fears is the fear of the unknown, but the unknown is also one of life’s biggest adventures and a loving, fruitful one if you just trust you’ll be safely guided along the way.

Until next time…

Discipleship Doesn’t Mean Crisp If You’re Blowin’ Smoke

As a Spin instructor and self-proclaimed gym rat I have an opportunity to teach and track people’s discipline towards their physical gains. Some folks want to bulk up, train to compete in figure competitions and some are determined to simply lose weight. Regardless of reasons they try tirelessly with early mornings, extra reps and ‘just one more lap’ to achieve their goals…often times coming up short.

 

Two examples come to mind right off the bat and frequent the gym. One is a middle aged man who I’ll name Johnny Gym. Johnny looks like he used to be a Haas back in the day, but years removed from his physical prime he has gained weight and lost his gains from his glory days. He is disciplined on the weights, takes his pre and post workout protein and is attempting to eat healthier now, but his biggest barrier he can’t break through…smoking and drinking. The moment his jacket comes off he smells like the Lucky 7’s he puts away all day long. Then there’s Jeanie Gym who exemplifies more devotion than some competitors. The discouraging thing about Jeanie is that she smells like Crispy Cream donuts. It could be her perfume or the fact that at 5:30 in the morning I’m hungry, but as most people slam a protein shake after a workout you can see her walking to her car slamming a fresh fried lump of dough. A decision, which although pleases our taste buds is not the complimentary move after dominating such a grueling regiment.

 

Johnny and Jeanie's devotion and decisions made me think about our devotion as Christians, especially during the season of Lent. Like most people who attempt to achieve physical success through weights and training in the gym we as believers typically fall short in our spiritual goals as well. I'll be the first to say that I fall into this as well and especially recently. We’ll put in extra time at Church, attempt a few added prayers or grab a hold of hope that we will live a pure and perfect life and that’s completely understandable. But like Johnny and Jeanie we put in all that work to quickly turn to our bad habits and teeter with temptations that take us back a step or two.

 

That’s why during Lent it’s the ideal time to not just put in the extra effort, but focus on further gains. During this season we’re called to prayer, fasting and alms giving. It’s the sacrifices we make, and the surrendering of ourselves during this season that pushes us to that next threshold. Remembering all along during the six weeks of sacrifice that we are called to pray, fast and perform righteous deeds humbly and between you and the Big Guy. We are to make sure we’re not like the hypocrites that the Ash Wednesday Gospel reading (Matt 6:1-6, 16-18) speaks of. Those people who publically seek reward and acknowledgement of their efforts. In common with those making sacrifices in the gym it is important that we remain humble through the process, push hard, focus on form and put off the 'selfies' that showoff the good work you're doing.

 

There is no better time to begin a new prayer routine or cut back on the countless decisions that dilute our discipleship. In a way, Lent gives us the opportunity to refocus our goals, set our sights on the greater purpose and strengthen our weaknesses. Avoiding the setbacks of Johnny and  Jeanie Gym who put in all the work only to resort back to the decisions that keep them from reaching the next level. Now’s the time to put in the extra reps, push harder, stronger and do the appropriate steps…if not, I’ll just expect to see you in class at 5:30 a.m. sitting in the back of the room, getting nowhere!

 

 

Until next time…