Staying in Shape



 


 Now that I’ve retired from competing in Bodybuilding, the pressure to improve has definitely  lessened. I no longer feel the pressure of ‘must-do’s’ as far as training, eating, and cardio. But even in the absence of competition I still feel a compulsion to ‘stay in shape’. I don’t want to fall apart and be totally ‘out of shape’ either. After all, God has given us one body for this life. Ought we not do our best to keep it in good shape? So while I don’t need to look like I’m stage ready, I certainly want to be healthy.  
     

  As an Orthodox Christian, I fast. As a person who wants to stay in shape, I welcome fasting! I initially thought fasting would be easy for me, maybe too easy! My understanding of fasting was that it allowed one to focus on heavenly things rather than earthly things like food and other creature comforts. But I had a history of severe dieting and had no trepidation about giving up certain foods. So I pushed myself to find a deeper meaning into fasting other than simply a deprivation of food.                  Fasting is not a ‘stay-in-shape’ plan. It is a reminder  of our need for discipline and restraint from our passions. Gluttony will wreck your body, it’s true. But what led up to you allowing gluttony to take over in the first place? Lack of discipline
    Fasting allows us to take account of our excesses. Where are we overindulging? Where are we not  indulging at all? Fasting is an opportunity to focus on today’s blessings and eternity’s promises. Fasting is essential in truly ‘staying in shape’. Through fasting, we  set aside bodily needs and focus on the chasm between ourselves and Christ. Fasting can refocus us on what’s truly important in this fleeting life on earth and prepare us for eternity. For it is in eternity that we will be in the best shape of our lives! (1Cor. 15:53) 
      So fasting really does allow us to ‘stay-in-shape’! The kind of physical and spiritual shape by which we Christians show forth the coming of God’s Kingdom. 
   “I was blind but, now I see!” is not just a “I love Jesus!” declaration. Christ invites us to SEE all that our blindness would not allow. Too many Christians begin the Ladder of Ascent only to fall in love with the first rung! But the metaphor of a ladder is used to indicate that our salvation is an upward journey, not a one  time event.  
    We must stay in shape to make this journey. We must allow the journey to shape us as well. God our Father travels with us and knows each step. His hand is there to guide and steady us as we move along, further up and further in to His Kingdom. All glory to God! 

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