Fit For Eternity

I remember well the time I grew out of my 30’s and into my 40’s. I became dissatisfied with my less than perfect body image after giving birth to three babies in two years and 10 months, then putting aside my desires for the demands of motherhood and neglecting me was taking it’s toll. I decided to work hard on my fitness and eat more healthy foods to make that image I saw of me in my mirror more like it used to be.

As my fitness began to improve this new quest became my passion. I even went into competitions with other gym junkies to achieve success, to be that girl, but no matter how hard I tried there is always someone fitter, faster, slimmer,

The key to becoming the perfect shape I was told, was to keep going, to keep working hard, but I soon learned that my peak level of fitness only lasted as long as my endurance continued, fading significantly after just a week if I stopped the momentum and took a break. This was disheartening.

After being committed to endure for years but without achieving my desired result I started to understand that my DNA played a huge role in who I was. I would never be more than the shape I was designed to be… and why should I?

We just have to look around us to see that we’re all different shapes, colours and sizes, so expecting my endurance would give me that ‘perfect’ shape has no basis. With all my work, expense and commitment I was at my best, the best I could be, but I still didn’t completely get rid of my curves.

People at the peak of fitness and in their prime of their life still have heart attacks and stokes. Is this how I must live continue to live to remain acceptable to myself and others? Though my new level of fitness made me feel good about myself, the older I was the harder it became to turn back the clock – that’s the circle of life… my new reality.

Accepting my reality!
We aren’t free until we stop trying to please someone. It’s ok to be me!
I began to understand that I would never be the shape I strived for and turned my focus to more important things in life like why am I here? As my attention turned away from my mirror image I began to accept my shape, understanding that my more important role in life was to become the person I was meant to be, not the one I thought I should be.

During my fitness faze I hadn’t turned my back on God but I’d spent way more time on my fitness than time alone with Him seeking what I was supposed to be doing with my life and learned that the Bible has much to say about fitness. Here are a few verses:

Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. 1 Timothy 4:8-10 MSG

The Living Bible puts it this way:
Spend your time and energy in the exercise of keeping spiritually fit. Bodily exercise is all right, but spiritual exercise is much more important and is a tonic for all you do. So exercise yourself spiritually, and practice being a better Christian because that will help you not only now in this life, but in the next life too. 1 Timothy 4:7-8

Grow up in Christ. The basic foundational truths are in place: turning your back on “salvation by self-help” and turning in trust toward God; baptismal instructions; laying on of hands; resurrection of the dead; eternal judgment. God helping us, we’ll stay true to all that. But there’s so much more. Let’s get on with it! Hebrews 6:1-3

Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government. 1 Peter 2:13-17 MSG

So take a new grip with your tired hands, stand firm on your shaky legs, and mark out a straight, smooth path for your feet so that those who follow you, though weak and lame, will not fall and hurt themselves but become strong. Hebrews 12:11-13

Looking back since then I am not a shape I could be proud of but I’m comfortable with the skin I’m in and I know for sure that spending time doing what I was meant to do is perfect satisfaction for me!

Did you know that we are all on assignment from God?
Being content and satisfied with who we are will bring true satisfaction.

Endurance is most important when we focus on what we’re here for, bringing reward that will never pass away. Fitness with eternal consequences, that’s perfect fitness to me!

Please share this message and help to bring light and hope and purpose to those you love!
2018 Elaine Costin – Capturing Sunrise