I have never been more sore in my entire life. Every part of my body feels like a different car smashed into it in the past 24 hours. And I’m paying someone money to make me feel like this.
You see a few weeks ago I took my first Crossfit class. Crossfit is a hybrid workout regimen that mixes weight training and extreme cardio exercises together. You might have seen the Crossfit Games on ESPN recently – our generation’s answer to the World’s Strongest Man competitions of the 80s and 90s.
(Click here if you can’t see the link above.)
I found out about Crossfit from watching the Games on ESPN. I knew I had to try it. I get kind of crazy excited when I see a new workout trend.
In the past few years I’ve spent money on Tae Bo, P90X, Insanity, and nearly every other workout craze you can think of. (I even did this workout one time On Demand.)
My Dad’s always been kind of a fitness nut too. He’s been obsessive with various workout routines through the years, even traveling with his trusted Ab Roller on vacations.
Growing up watching my Dad exercise all the time, not to mention being a pro wrestling fan for twenty years, I’ve always dreamed about having the perfect body. At the end of a good workout I honestly feel like I’m on the brink of being there if I can just keep it up for a few more weeks.
Crazy?
Probably.
Because it doesn’t matter how awesome I get my abs to look; there will always be someone out there with better ones. It doesn’t matter how fit I become; if I don’t keep a religious workout schedule and diet, then my beach body won’t be permanent. A fine physical appearance is a fickle friend.
Looks fade away. Talents fade away. Abilities fade away. There’s no getting around it. Whatever it is you find your identity in – fashion or academics or athletics or music – your prowess will not last forever.
Everything in this world is temporary. There is only one thing that is timeless:
Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and constantly loves those who love him and obey his commands. (Deuteronomy 7:9)
God made us all unique. He gave each of us talents and abilities and gifts. He wants us to use them. But there is a difference between using your talents and letting them use you.
It’s easy to get trapped in the “Workout Machine”, feeding the false god of body image day after day. The mirror at the gym can become a funhouse mirror if you let it, distorting who you truly are.
Being physically fit is no sin. But be careful of becoming obsessed. God’s image of you is the only one you need to be concerned with, and He is already well pleased with you. He sees you not for you are. He sees you for you are becoming.
If you want to have a better workout, simply be confident in who you already are in God’s eyes. Don’t see the distorted and damaged body in the mirror. See the same beloved child of God He sees.
Exercise fads fade away. Only God’s love is timeless.
Have you ever been trapped in the “workout machine”, obsessed with body image? How do you maintain a healthy body image? Where else do you struggle with finding your identity in God?
