Know, Believe and Do

You may could call me a 'fitness loner'. I'm a little different than most in my fitness journey in that I prefer to exercise alone. For years I have walked several times a week, later on, took up running, added at home workouts for strength and am blessed with discipline and endurance that is needed to keep up with a healthy lifestyle. Exercise for me is that 'me time' we all crave and try to squeeze in. Therefore it is not a drudgery, but something I love to do!

The last few years, I have added an exercise class to my fitness routine. There is a sense of accountability and community  working out with others. For the last several months, my routine had a beautiful fitness balance between home and the gym.

Until, the COVID 19 crisis. Gyms were closed first. Still needing that accountability, I found a small group class. Then, restrictions came and shut that down. Although I have never hired a personal trainer, I decided to give it a try. 

My trainer is a dear Christian friend who is walking in her true calling of encouraging women to be their best inside and out! She walked me through the work out, carefully observing my form and body's response to the exercises. Towards the end of the workout, she observed that my core was weak and how it affected other parts of my body, thus having a negative effect on my fitness efforts. 

Since I am an avid exerciser, I know all about the core. They call it the 'powerhouse' and it helps hold up your body structure. Power and strength, comes from your core. Over and over the words, watch your core, tighten your core, watch your form have been heard. But, it wasn't until my weak core was  pointed out, did I realize all this time I was hearing the words, but not following the directions. 

Empowered with a new purpose, I frequently pay attention to my core, pulling it in, holding it tightly, doing exercises to strengthen it. Not being discouraged, but a quick look back over all the years I've been exercising, but not at full potential, gives me new purpose to make the most of it going forward. 

No matter what area in life, our personal convictions move us through three layers - Know, Believe, Do. First, things must come into our head - knowledge or awareness, then into our heart and finally it is acted out in our lives. For the Christian, the beauty of walking with God is His taking us through this know, believe and do journey. When we move from knowing to believing, we are choosing to trust God and to take Him at His word. As we move from believing to doing, our convictions become action. We walk more boldly in the path that God is revealing to us. 

Change always starts small. When we pursue one or two new habits or perspectives, we will see transformational change over time. Now is a great time when many of us are 'staying safe at home' to ask God to illuminate our lives. What are some changes or areas He brings light to that may need some improvement. Now, while the distractions of life are at bay, is a perfect time to open our hearts and trust God to bring the best out in us. 

God has great plans for each of us. May we trust His leading and provision and move forward with confidence. 

Core/intentional
Know, Believe, Do