23 October 2013

Quitter

I'm just going to come right out and say it.

I quit CrossFit on Monday.

I cried.

It hurt, but I had reasons. I still have reasons. I also know I can go back later, but right now, this was the right decision I had to make for myself.

So why did I quit?

Priorities.

I told Rob that it was money and the fact I'm just not mentally there anymore.

Both true.

The money thing? We're not eating ramen and cheerios for every meal or anything. But you know what's worse? We've been sliding on our tithe at church. Where does that tell you my priorities were?

I love CrossFit, but I love Jesus more.

The mental thing? Don't get me wrong. I love working out. I love the feeling of accomplishment and the rush of endorphins. I love feeling healthy and fit. But you know what's worse? Thinking about working out and diets and food and squatting more than 100# more than I think about my relationship with my Savior.

I love Crossfit, but I love Jesus more.

I need to refocus where my life is right now.

I absolutely love the verse my friend Heidi posted on Facebook last night. The benefit of surrounding yourself with Christian friends? They get it. They encourage when they don't realize they're encouraging you. Heidi is going through her own similar struggles, and I thought this passage sums up what I'm feeling perfectly.

For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8 ESV)

It's not just this life we're preparing for. Sure, with Crossfit I can probably hold my own against a zombie apocalypse.

But with Jesus, I can hold my own against satan and the things unseen. Much more important in my opinion.

With my Monday night bible study and Revival Week this week at church, I'm discovering my first love, the God of my youth that I met that one Thursday night at church camp when I was 14. I might have changed, but I'm so, so happy to discover that the God I've set on the back shelf is still the God I loved with all my heart almost 19 years ago. He hasn't changed. He's my constant.

Last night at church the pastor was talking about how as Christians, we hear about the "mountaintop" experiences, only to bring us back down in the valley again. How Christianity is a rollercoaster ride.

Which pretty much sums up my life the past 20 years.

But you know what? Hebrews 6:19 tells us that God is an anchor for the soul. He's constant. He's the exact opposite of a rollercoaster. He's firm. Secure. Solid. Never changing.

It's time to get off that rollercoaster and just live in the consistency of Jesus. Stop looking for that mountaintop - we don't have to work to "feel" his presence. He's already here!!! 


So there you have it. That's me. I'm a CrossFit quitter. Judge me if you have to. Hate me. Chalk me up to just one more person who couldn't stick it out.

I really don't care.

My soul is at peace with this decision, which is the most important part

But if anyone wants to get me a kettlebell for my birthday, I wouldn't turn it down.

Today I love: My Jesus. My sweet, sweet Jesus doesn't just help me get through the day, He is with me through the day.

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love
What depths of peace
When fears are stilled
When strivings cease

My comforter, my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life
No fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me

From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

I found my strength, I found my hope
I found my help in Christ alone
When fear has set, when dark has fall
I found my peace in Christ alone

I give my life, I give my all
I sing my song to Christ alone
The King of kings, the Lord I love
All heaven signs to Christ alone

Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand