Dear Family,
I work out at the Angels Camp Body Shop three days a week. The group I work out with is all guys, and a number of them attend Vine & Branch. Fitness Extraordinaire Jen Stock leads the class. Jen is also the gym owner and is very good at her job. I have done this for five years and can say it never seems routine because Jen constantly changes things.
One thing that becomes very clear is how important posture and body position are when working out properly. When our elbows are in the proper place, the tricep is isolated, and the effectiveness of the exercise is way more effective. The position of the feet also adds to the intensity of the workout.
Many of these things I knew but needed to be reminded of. When discussing body position and alignment, one body part significantly impacts the work: the head position. It is so easy when working on your triceps or doing a plank to look down, but this changes the effectiveness of the exercise.
When performing a plank, my eyes should be up, looking ahead, and the exercise is not as effective when I am looking down. When I look down, the body alignment is incorrect, and the core is not in the proper position, defeating the purpose of working out to keep the body strong, healthy, and effective.
The other day, a buddy from church was using words to describe himself that were not edifying. The Bible says we are chosen, forgiven, children of God. So, when we use terms that conflict with scripture, we allow the enemy to have a foothold in our image of ourselves. Just like working out, our eyes must be in the proper alignment. Hebrews 12:1-3 says this.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”
As we work out our faith, it is vital to have proper alignment, starting with the direction of our eyes. Join us this Sunday for a morning of worship, prayer, and praise. Bring all your burdens and needs to church so the elders and prayer team can pray for deliverance from physical or spiritual things. We will close by writing down our praises and putting them below the cross. See you all this Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
In Him,
Pastor Chris