By Alli Becker, owner, Keola Fit
HOW TO DEFINE EXTREME: The most effective exercise takes you past your comfort zone. It moves you to push just a little past the point where you want to quit. This pressure creates a space for growth instead of just maintenance. All our journeys toward health start here. Our walk with Jesus started here, too: This place where something must change. This crossroad forces you to make a choice and then insists you “forge ahead” even when you don’t feel like it.
What does it mean to forge? Let’s look at this word together. As we do, I hope to challenge you to step into a lifestyle that pushes you past your comfort zone both physically and spiritually. Jesus isn’t looking for stagnant, fragile, lukewarm disciples. He is asking you to get outside your comfort zone. I’m going to inspire you to do this with the help of some outdoor faith-based Keola® workouts. Sometimes we need a fresh perspective. No matter how long you’ve been walking in health or with Christ, I want you to get stronger for the sake of our King. To follow Him into some difficult places and become a little more pioneer than prince/princess.
FORGE – Definition 1
To Form or Make, Especially By Concentrated Effort
Our first definition reveals that forging requires concentrated effort. Moving forward in healthy living and in Christ involves focus and choice. I love that God gifts us with that precious ability to choose Him and love. He never takes that away. Making healthy choices regularly reflects love. Love for God, for the body and life He’s given you. Love for yourself, in that you are worth good choices that benefit your body and mind. Love for others, in that you want to feed body and soul well in order to share God’s love and blessing with others.
Having this right motivation doesn’t mean that you won’t make mistakes. Just like you have that consistent gift of free will, every moment offers a fresh start with Jesus. You are in a partnership with God. He is working in you to make you more and more like Jesus, while you actively walk out the faith that you have in His perfect love for you. That love isn’t based on your circumstances. It is based on the death of Jesus on a cross for you and the fact that He lives to advocate for your good.
In this video (above), we are working out in a place that was devastated by volcanic activity. The last big eruption was believed to occur around 2000 years ago. When your life feels devastated, remember the concentrated effort Jesus made for you 2000 years ago. He chose you. He chose to carry a cross, sin, and shame for you. He loves you so much that the joy of having you free from the devastating consequences of sin, including eternal separation from Him, was worth the agony of stepping away from heaven into a criminal’s death. Set your focus on that love when your motivation slips. Go to Him (He’s won that for you) and allow Him to forgive and empower you to make those right decisions again in love.
FORGE – Definition 2
Move Ahead Slowly; Progress Steadily
You are not in this alone. We all have a different starting place for our health and fitness goals, but whether we know it or not, we were all a mess before receiving Christ. We all need God. Sometimes we still feel like a mess after Him. Don’t let how far you are from where you want to be paralyze you from moving forward. Forging ahead involves slow, steady progress. Making small changes to your diet and lifestyle are shown to be more effective and sustainable than trying to do a complete overhaul. God knows this and it reflects the patient work He is doing in you.
This video clip was taken on an RV trip to Alaska. The road was slow going without all the convenience of groceries, gas, internet, and campgrounds at regular intervals. We had driven a long day and I didn’t feel like working out. Sometimes you just need to focus on and take that next big step. Faith active, but still a process. That new person in Christ is closer than you think. It is certainly okay to have a day of rest, but resist every temptation to lay down in weariness. The enemy would have you believe you can never “be that” or “do that”. Friend, God is most glorified in your weaknesses and He has certainly paid for you to exchange that poor behavior that doesn’t line up with God’s word and fruit with the new behavior that does. Press in and say, “Yes!” to God when it’s hard. All of heaven is with you and cheering you on!
FORGE – Definition 3
Move Ahead with Increased Speed and Effectiveness
As you start to settle into these new healthy choices, it becomes more natural to walk them out. The cravings you used to have are dimmer. Your lifestyle is less sedentary. You are living in those first goals, so you can set some more. Every gift God gives is unearned, yet He rewards those who have withstood the pressures and been proven to believe by their active, consistent commitment to Him. That’s a truth my mind can’t totally wrap around, but I’m grateful for it.
This last video was filmed in Alaska. It was early in the morning and the fog was lifting. As you watch and move with me, I want you to celebrate God’s love and promises whether you see them or not. Make a commitment to trust Him. May God use your life of endurance and victory to inspire others to step into all that He’s calling them to.
Thank you so much for joining me in these outdoor Keola® workouts and devotionals! I hope you are inspired to get outside… into nature and to tread your own new ground for Jesus. I invite you to continue to work out with me on YouTube, my website and here in Faith & Fitness Magazine.
FAITH-CENTERED FITNESS RETREAT
It would be awesome to be encouraged and strengthened together, do some live Keola® workouts amidst the beautiful Smoky Mountains, and spend a few days reading the Bible and growing in faith together. Our faith-centered fitness retreat will include beautiful accommodations, delicious food and an incredible spa treatment. Space is very limited to make the experience truly exclusive and dynamic.
Post your Facebook comment below and let me know what month you think is best for a 2020 mountain retreat with me and Faith & Fitness Magazine. I’d love to meet you and hear all about what God is doing in your life.
Watch this video to learn more about faith-centered fitness retreats.
