Devotion in Motion

Today’s Devotion Written By: Rae Lynn DeAngelisI’ve never been a big fan of exercise, but lately I’ve been sensing strong conviction that I needed to somehow, someway work exercise into my weekly schedule.My sudden conviction was prompted by a book that I’ve been reading called The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life. It was written by Pastor Rick Warren, Dr. Daniel Amen, and Dr. Mark Hyman. The book is geared towards overall health: physical, spiritual, and mental.It’s actually a book that I could get behind and recommend to those coming through the Living in Truth Ministries’ eating disorder program. I love the way the book talks about becoming healthy and fit from the perspective of our body being a temple of the Holy Spirit. It is important to care for all aspects of who God created us to be: mind, body, and soul.I was dreading the chapters on physical fitness because I knew this was an area where I’ve been apathetic in the past. I just can’t seem to get motivated to exercise.However, I was pleasantly surprised by this book’s approach to the subject. The author explains how we need to approach physical fitness through the mindset of a child. Children are naturally active because exercise is built into the things they already love to do–play. Rick then went on to explain how we need to get back to viewing exercise in the same way. Rather than being a dreaded chore, exercise should be something we enjoy.I was a bit skeptical but continued reading.Rick then gave several suggestions for our motivation to exercise. When I was in the thick of my twenty-five year battle with an eating disorder, exercise was always something I did to lose weight so I could achieve a certain body type. There was certainly a lot of pride involved–I wanted to look good so others would take notice.Let me just say, now that I have been free from bulimia for ten years… I never want to go back to that mindset. I believe it’s the main reason I’ve continually veered away from exercise plans; I still associated exercise with my negative past.However, two of Rick’s suggestions for motivation to exercise piqued my interest–faith and worship. Now this was something I could really (no pun intended) jump up and down about!I realized that I simply needed to change my exercise motivation to something I already loved–Jesus!Wow! It probably sounds crazy but this new mentality has totally changed the way I view exercise. Motion is now part of my devotion. Sometimes I walk. Sometimes I use a workout video. And sometimes I swim. But I don’t exercise for me. I exercise for Him. Fitness is an act of worship and faith.Perhaps you too are uninspired when it comes to exercise.Change your motivation and mindset and become a healthier you.Do it for Him! Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit