Home for me is in Lakewood, Washington. I tell most people I’m from Seattle because rarely do people know where Lakewood is and saying I’m from Seattle sounds much cooler. If you’re a fan of Golf you’ll know last year the U.S. Open was at a golf course named Chambers Bay, which is located in University Place. I live about 10 minutes from this golf course, so that was pretty exciting to have such a popular event take place in my backyard, and I also worked there for one summer.
Chambers Bay is famous for its rolling hills throughout the course that have been described as “traditions of Scottish links land” (description is courtesy of Chambers Bay website.) It’s a public course and the cost is hefty, but the best part is you can walk the perimeters of the course for free.The walk is also incredibly hilly and you can get a killer workout if you really push yourself to get uncomfortable and power through. Toward the back of the course, there are switch-back hills that are about a half a mile long one way. I like to run up and down these bad boys a few times and then jog back to the car. It’s extremely hard, very uncomfortable, and what it really comes down to is my mental ability more than my physical ability. I know I can do it physically, I’m strong, I’ve had a lifetime of exercise and I know how to push myself. But when you’re exhausted and your muscles are starting to feel weak, your mind becomes very persuasive. You can easily talk yourself out of running to stop, take a break, lower that heart rate and get comfortable. Staying comfortable doesn’t bring results. Results come when you push yourself beyond your ability, you get uncomfortable, you get after it, and you don’t quit.
You might see where I’m taking this…
1 Timothy 4:8- For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Training camp was full of being uncomfortable. So many times I’ve heard the phrase “work your spiritual muscles just as much as your physical muscles,” but I didn’t know that to be true until I pushed myself spiritually beyond breaking, through the pain, beyond what I was capable of in the Lords strength and got uncomfortable. That’s when I saw results.
Before that point, I sat through the sessions, I went through the motions, I walked the walk and talked the talk, and physically, I looked to be present and in tune, but that didn’t last. When I finally made the decision to stop letting my head talk me out of going to where I needed and made the decision to press in and feel the pain spiritually, a very similar pain to when I’m running up those hills, that’s when the Spirit flooded in and changed me.
The best part was after experiencing the spiritual pain, physical exercise felt so easy because I saw the strength the Lord gave me to push through spiritually, and the verse I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13), became more true than ever. Physical exercise is very important, it strengthens your heart, sharpens your mind, strengthens your immune system, aids in weight loss, builds muscle, endurance, the list goes on. But growing spiritually, that doesn’t even compare. Dwelling in the presence of the Lord, having a personal relationship with Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is the single best place to ever be. As Jesus says in Matthew 6:33- But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Drawing close to the Father, getting uncomfortable in His presence and facing your pain will be the hardest, but greatest decision you’ll ever make.
When you’re climbing up that hill, whether literally or spiritually, you can do it. The Lord is with you every step and every turn. Don’t let yourself talk you out of it, let the Father talk you into it and lead you through it.
Love you all, let’s get uncomfortable together.
