Bodybuilding has truly sanctified me and continues to. It’s painful but beautiful to realize that there were and will continue so many areas of my heart that needed deep cleansing. I’ve seen my change in real time over the last 6 years. Many things I used to post, I no longer feel are honoring the Lord or to others. The way I would steward my time revealed that my priorities were out of alignment. How I used to hold and carry myself at times pointed to a lack of maturity and confidence in my true worth. I still wrestle moment by moment in my walk with my Lord, AS WE ALL should. It’s a privilege to wrestle with our creator and redeemer. The holy wrestle is where the grace of the Father meets us. If there was no wrestling, there would be no need to seek deeper intimacy, to study the Word, and to consult wise counsel. Having an “unsettled faith” is a concept that’s been heavily emphasized in my local church family as of late: Seeking the place of repentance and godly sorrow, asking for prayer and sharpening from those in the family of Christ, and never being above conviction and reproach is what being in a state of unsettled faith means.
We have the BE light in every space. We must look different and be set apart in and from this world.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2)
What space has God placed you in to specifically embody His light?
This is THE great commission. We have an opportunity to steward our walk in a way that honors the Lord; steward our race in a way that does not perpetuate a stigma of immodesty or idolization of self or glorification of earthly wealth or a worldly trophy that will pass away. I have learned that not being hyperfixated on a sport or my physique is true freedom. Not putting it on a pedestal that drives me to compromise my convictions means that only what the Lord says has a hold on me. That’s counter cultural to the sport. That’s a superpower! (My friend and sister in Christ / fellow bodybuilder, Amber P said it first) What beautiful parallels within this hobby and sport there are to faith and practicing THE Way.
For me now, comp prep most specifically, is a journey inward more so than outward. The more I learn about myself by silencing my flesh and feeding the Spirit, the more fruitful I have found my life is and my influence is to the people directly in my circle. Engaging in anything for social media clout or worldly renown will only leave one empty and constantly hungry for approval in the wrong places.
Where might you be seeking renown or significance; a perishable trophy from the world rather than from your Creator?
“commit your work to the Lord and He will establish your plans” (Proverbs 16:3)
If you’re reading this, I want this freedom for us all. My heart for us as family united in Christ, to be free from the grip of worldly things and also free from legalism - ignited to pursue things in this life that bring us joy, help us grow, allow you to experience sanctification ❣️ only we as individuals with the council of the Holy Spirit and body of believers, can come to terms with what these things are and how we steward them. The Holy Spirit is our greatest counselor and He is our refiner. Ask, seek, knock, pray, and say yes to the Holy Wrestle.