It was a sunny summer morning in Hong Kong. Back in 2000 my work as an educational media producer had me globe trotting. The AWAY feature of my YMCA membership gave me access to great gym spaces everywhere. A lot of Y members don’t realize just how far their membership can take them. I’ve been to big Y’s in major cities like San Francisco, New York, Chicago and Orlando. Much smaller Y’s in less populated communities like Beckley, West Virginia, Spencer, Indiana and some small town in Louisiana. Each one isn’t just a place to exercise, they are welcoming communities, with unique programs, services and incredible people. When I’m home, I can choose between a dozen branches at my local Y association.
Your gym membership (with some other company besides the Y) may very well offer a similar “away” benefit. If it doesn’t OR you’re not a member of any particular gym you’ll likely find that everywhere you go there is some fitness facility or program that will welcome you at least once with a day pass as a visitor to try it. AND – to all those church leaders who have a fitness ministry, if you’re not actively inviting people to take your facility or programs for a test drive, you’re missing a huge opportunity.
WHERE IS ‘EVERYWHERE’ FOR YOU?
This issue of Faith & Fitness Magazine focuses on the theme Everywhere. I invite you to explore what God wants ‘everywhere’ to be for you.
As you do that, keep in mind that WHERE you workout is more than just the place where you exercise. For starters the space between your ears needs to have a clear understanding of your needs, goals and opportunities – the everywhere where God wants you to go with your faith and fitness. No exploration of everywhere can really happen well until you first invite God to have the strong place within.
Along with your mind you need to prepare your heart to tap into the Spirit of God for grace, commitment, enthusiasm, instruction, patience and more. In other words your fitness isn’t just about getting in your workout and relieving tension someplace, it’s about finding the sacred space and meeting God consistently in that place.
When you do that then you can really start to explore new physical spaces where God would have you be. Maybe that’s a work+out with your family, the free weight room at a church, a group exercise class (different from what you’ve ever done) at a local fitness provider or running or biking along a community trail with a friend or with a group.
IT’S NOT SOMEPLACE – IT’S GOD’S SPACE
Everywhere that you recognize is #GodsSpace is where your fitness lifestyle will make a pivot away from simply being somewhere YOU can workout without being disturbed to being the exact space where the Spirit of God can move through you to be the life of Christ to OTHERS.
You may never get to Hong Kong, Chicago, or some small town in Louisiana. You can’t be everywhere. But don’t miss the opportunity to be everywhere God has created space for you. That’s where your faith and fitness can be powerfully used by God.
Share your story of where everywhere is for you. Take a look below for the stories our readers are sharing:
Dorrie battled anxiety and PTSD from psychological trauma and emotional abuse. Like many, she has found that physical fitness is a powerful component to healing. But, exercise alone has limits. Dorrie discovered the space she needs for recovery is found when she’s fully in the presence of God. It’s a sacred space – not because of where she is but because of the spiritual strength she gains by being in #GodsSpace This short video story is told by Dorrie herself.
For a better way to do pre and post workout recovery go to re: Pre And Post Workout Tools For You
