In your drive to push, push, push has it become a frustrating pull, pull…. PULL !!!!!
We all know that it’s the intense exercise we do that drives growth. How do YOU do it? Maybe you push one more rep out of an extra set of lifting heavier weight. Perhaps you increase frequency, mix it up to benefit from variety, go slow, expand your range of motion, or go an extra mile. The list of ways to drive your goals is long. To encourage you to drive even harder, there are plenty of people offering you plenty of motivational messages from tame to tough to tacky:
TAME – “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”
TOUGH – “If you want to change you have to be willing to be uncomfortable.”
TACKY – “Unless you puke, faint or die, keep going.”
One thing I really like about the fitness culture is that so many people in it resist the negative, go beyond prevention and are really stoked about pursuing good. One thing that is really frustrating though about the fitness culture is that they try doing this without God. So let me encourage you to reframe that motivation in a different context:
TAME – “You can do it! But only with God.”
TOUGH – “Your best gets even better when you humble yourself completely and pursue grace.”
TACKY – “Son of a God, go all the way – hang in there ‘til you bleed to death!”
I believe ‘drive’ is a gift that God has given all of us so that we can support and advance HIS agenda. If you’re using that drive just to look amazing, feel great, gain wealth, influence others, elevate your reputation or do anything else that is ultimately self-motivated then you’re driving yourself and others down. Perhaps right now your sex appeal is unequaled, you’ve achieved platinum or diamond level earnings, you’re liked by everyone and your reputation is off the charts with a book or TV deal in the works. The difference between “so what, big deal” and you being really valuable happens when your drive is processed through God’s agenda. When your purpose is His purpose.
Often I’m driven to get my yard work accomplished quickly. Perhaps there’s a threat of impending rain. Usually I just want to get to more meaningful responsibilities and opportunities. Pulling a long cord to hand start a push mower can be hard work. My form is perfect – solid grip with a well-executed full triceps and shoulder extension. It’s a move that requires strength, quickness and sometimes a persistent repetition. On more than one occasion my push, push, push has been pull, pull…. PULL !!!!! In my rush, my determination, my ‘focus’ and eventually my frustration I missed one very important step. Until you toggle the switch from off to on, it isn’t happening.
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f someone were watching (thankfully not) it would be a laughable performance. I’m going crazy, out of breath, dripping with sweat and yelling at the mower, “Come on now – you can do it!” While our drive and determination are commendable they are also ridiculous when we think we know it all. When we preach from our bully pulpit we have no ears to hear. In contrast, following a process that won’t be altered (turning the switch to ‘on’ before pulling the cord) should be obvious and certainly is effortless. Most importantly it gets the job done.
Obedience IS better than sacrifice. Simple enough, right? Now let’s apply that to every aspect of our lives. Making God’s agenda, our agenda can be that easy.
Train strong in Christ,
Brad Bloom, Publisher
