In October, Leah and I started the Weight Watchers Online Program (thanks to Tory for the inspiration)! It was great to lose some weight. But I'm also enjoying the ability to push myself a bit harder in the gym, which is probably another benefit to being 20 pounds lighter.
Since College, I've rarely run more than three miles at a time. This morning I ran seven miles. I'm thanking God for His grace in giving me good health, and thinking about training for a half-marathon for the first time in my life.
This experience of building greater physical endurance is a metaphor for something God has been doing in my emotional life--something that is critical for the challenge of church planting. Church planting is an emotional roller-coaster. Because so much is constantly developing, I find myself experiencing almost daily highs and lows. So God has been working on my emotional endurance.
God is constantly preparing us to grow into His plans for us, not only spiritually and physically, but emotionally as well. Leadership demands that we live in the midst of tension, face conflict, and live through stress. In the face of these realities, God builds our emotional endurance so we can stay on the leadership treadmill for a longer time, and at a higher level.
My recent experience physically illustrates two ways we can partner with God to build our emotional endurance.
- Eliminate Fat: We need to remove the obstacles to emotional health (sin, lack of sleep, unhealthy relationships, wasted time, etc).
- Overcome Resistance: In the gym, resistance is necessary for stronger muscles or longer endurance. Likewise, in life, resistance isn't something to escape. Instead, embrace resistance, lean into it, and overcome it.
As you eliminate fat and overcome resistance, God will build your emotional endurance so that you can experience greater longevity and effectiveness in life and ministry!
good insight, Brad
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1137783976 | February 19, 2010 at 04:28 PM
I like it...let me know if you run a 1/2 marathon. I completed my first one this past fall...it was great! :)
Posted by: Kate Griffin | February 20, 2010 at 12:14 AM