In Malaysia God had me take a step back from exercise. Exercise to me is a passion, a love, something that I find joy in. So to step away was difficult. But during that time He implanted a new love for movement. He gave me a new definition of exercise:
-Exercise is an expression of praise to the King of kings-
Our ability to move and exercise is a direct expression of praise because God created our bodies with the capacity to move. Praise can be defined as thanking Him for all He has done. What better way to thank Him for our bodies than to use them!
“Sing of Him, sing His praises; tell of all His wonderful acts.” Psalm 105:2
“Tell of His wonderful acts”, the mere fact that our bodies are capable of movement is telling of His wonderful acts. God created our bodies a certain way, to sustain movement, to enjoy movement, to CRAVE movement. It is no coincidence that you get antsy when you sit for too long (side note: sitting is the new smoking, get up and move every 30min… want more info I am happy to supply, I say this out of love for you). It is no coincidence that endorphins that make you feel better are released when you choose physical activity (another side note: more positive endorphins are released when you participate in an activity you actually enjoy.. so choose something you enjoy!:)
I studied kinesiology (the study of the motion of the body) and could go on about the benefits of exercise for the body which many people claim to “know” but don’t really know (because you would be living it out).
One of my favorite thoughts about exercise is the fact that if exercise was in a pill form, EVERYONE would be taking it… interesting ain’t it, we know it’s the best medicine for us yet somehow have time to neglect it.
Any-who, my point is that it is no coincidence that exercise and movement is highly beneficial to our bodies that are created in the image of God. I find it hard to believe that God created all the different mechanisms elicited in exercise within our bodies for them not to be utilized.
Can you imagine dreaming up and creating a car with a bunch of special features. You have the ejection seat for some added adrenaline, the stereo system for some added happiness, the installed lavender infuser for some stress relief. All these special functions thoughtfully put in place to enhance the function of the car. Yet you drive the car and never tap into the enhancements available. This is how we are operating our own bodies when we don’t tap into the enhancements available from movement and exercise.
So now when I go out and exercise I have a new focus and awe. A focus of praise to my King and an awe of how my body is even capable to do so.
We are made for movement. Would you join me in utilizing that God given ability and expressing praise to Him through it?
Live loved,
Micaela
