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By Karla Medina, Owner Sudor Taino Fitness
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: The Bible challenges all of us to “Let you light shine so the whole world can see” God. Karla Medina, owns Sudor Taino Fitness in Berlin, Connecticut. Sudor Taino is an exceptional group fitness studio, recognized for its faith and fitness ideology, passion, energy and innovative classes. Karla and her team are committed to motivating members individually, inspiring them collectively and moving them collectively spirit-mind-body to a better humankind through a faith and fitness approach. Karla has been part of Faith & Fitness Magazine’s Redefined Conference. She contributes to the magazine with content, online training and more.
Below we’re pleased to bring you an adaption from the chapter Lighthouse Keeper, from her book, Divinely Fit. To be strong in your faith means to be able to hear and know what God is calling you to do and then to be confident enough to do it eagerly. Karla’s story will help you see how God took her through that important process. She shares that this chapter os, “About a time in my life of self-doubt, learning to listen to God and the persistence it takes to be a witness for God in service to others.”
SELF-DOUBT AND FEAR
When someone told me many years ago that I should write a book about my life, I nearly laughed out loud. To me, only actors, CEOs, leaders and famous philanthropists – “important people” – wrote books. What could I possibly have to say?
Years later a second person said to me, “You know, you really have a lot to say. You should write a book.” Again, I thought, I am not qualified to write a book and who would want to read it? Despite the fact, that my story had already been written in books, blogs and articles.
Somehow, my mind bypassed these positive experiences and landed smack dab on the negative. You see, everything else in my life had been validated by a test or certification but no piece of paper could prove that I was qualified to write a book. I would have to get to a qualified space on my own or the pattern would continue.
LEARNING TO LISTEN TO GOD
Years later, while at a fitness conference, I attended a class called “The Next Step”. I remember sitting there and asking God how I could more effectively touch lives and fulfill His purpose. I remember thinking, this is bigger than the studio because I could not put a limit on God’s plan for me. After the class and before the next one, I was weeding through my emails and one leapt out at me. It was from a publisher seeking me as an author. But, just as quickly as the excitement came, it was replaced by the negative thoughts of not being “good enough.” and I continued to mull over “the book thing”.
A few more years passed and then, while at another fitness conference, I stumbled upon a class called, “The Book in You.” I was like, really? God replied, Yes, really. It was then that everything was lining up and God was directing my steps. Again, time flew by but came to a halt with a sermon I heard, “God Sent his Spirit”. It was then I realized that God was choosing me to be a lighthouse, to bear witness about His light. It was not about me rather it was more about lighting the way for others. The once insurmountable task of writing this book became a blessing. It was all deeply humbling and empowering.
WITNESS FOR GOD IN SERVICE
There is no doubt in my mind that each of us has a purpose to shine God’s light, in the authentic way He has entrusted us. He qualifies us in the Spirit and urges us to have faith in the mind and body. Hence, the reason why I struggled with the book was because I was looking for qualification by someone, something, or a degree; forgetting that He is the ultimate qualifier.
Yet we are always seeking validation from others and if we do not get it, we believe we have failed. Truly I say to you, our biggest failure lies in not acknowledging ourselves as qualified lighthouses. If we rewire our belief from “we work for the man” to “we work for God” then we will be witnesses for Him by walking, acting and reacting with light to the natural disappointments within ourselves and in life.
More importantly, God picks people like you and me to experience life as a lighthouse, qualified to be divinely fit. Be a witness and commit to being the lighthouse you were destined to be.
Divinely Fit is a spirit, mind & body journey of struggles and promises by Karla Medina.
Get two copies – one for you and one for a friend or order for your entire small group.
SELF-DOUBT AND FEAR TIPS:
- Identify the negativity
- Actively pray to rebuke active thoughts
- Call a Lifeline
- Engage in Physical Activity as a template for overcoming
LISTEN TO GOD TIPS:
- Pray for discernment and wisdom
- Carve out time to read the Bible
- Journal your thoughts and God’s voice speaking to you
- Set visual reminders of His promises
- Breath life (with words) into his purpose for you
WITNESS FOR GOD IN SERVICE TIPS:
- Pray for awareness and direction
- Read about Jesus ministry
- Create an action plan for God’s purpose to be revealed
- Align resources and support
- Serve others altruistically
He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. ~ John 1: 7-8
Want to train with Karla Medina? She did an exclusive Faith & Fitness Magazine’s Facebook LIVE.
Once you’ve finished watching the video and experienced the energy of Karla’s training session then be sure to go to her Sudor Taino website to register for more online training with her.
