Lessons from "The Box"

I joined a CrossFit-type gym here in Laramie, and I've been going with several of my coworkers during our lunch break every MWF.  My boss warned us that for the first 6-8 weeks it feels like you've been hit by a train, but that eventually you get stronger, you recover faster, and then you can add more weight (...and start the pain cycle all over again).  I believed him on some level, but I was definitely unprepared for how completely wrecked my body would be by these workouts.  There was a part of me that subconsciously thought "These workouts are only a half hour.  I can do anything for 30 minutes!"  

False.  I cannot do anything for 30 minutes.  In fact, I can't do most of the workouts for the full 30 minutes.  (Yet.)

I used to think I was strong, but these workouts have given me a serious dose of reality.  And every time I go in for the 'workout of the day,' I'm humbled yet again.  I'm realizing that I can believe I'm as strong as I want to, but the real proof comes when I start testing those muscles.  If I don't push those muscles to their capacity, I can let myself think that they are much stronger and more capable than they actually are.  Though it's humbling, frustrating, and discouraging to be physically unable to do the full workout, those muscles will never get stronger unless I keep pushing and working.

I think I fall into the same habit of thinking in life outside of "the Box."  I can let myself think that I'm doing just fine in other areas in my life, but it's because I may not be stretching and testing myself.  How do we train ourselves in those areas?  Through community.  If I am not entering into true, deep, intentional community with others, I will never grow as a whole person.  Sure, I can read and think and journal to try and stretch myself, but what good will that growth do me if I don't act it out in community?  

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul challenges the church to live in humble service to one another in community:

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."  (Philippians 2:1-4 NIV84)

 Paul calls the Philippians to live out their unity with Christ, through serving each other.  Do you have any comfort from his love?  Great!  Share that comfort with your neighbor by serving them.  Do you have fellowship with the Spirit?  Praise God!  That fellowship should drive you to enter into fellowship with your community and bless them.  Has the Lord cultivated tenderness and compassion in you?  Wonderful!  Demonstrate his work by being tender and compassionate to those around you.  

I can tell myself that I absolutely am growing in these areas, but unless I test those spiritual muscles and extend myself on behalf of others, how will I really know that I am growing?  And how will I keep growing if I don't exercise those lessons in community?

Our salvation is never conditional upon what we do.  Our salvation is paid for, completely and totally, by Christ's work on the Cross.  But when the Lord starts doing a work in my life, I'm excited about it and I'm called to share that work with those in my life to increase their faith.  Yes, it might be painful and humbling in the moment, but the results of His sanctifying work in my are definitely to be celebrated!  It is through my actions and interactions within deep community that I get to demonstrate how He has changed and is changing me.  

I am eagerly looking forward to going rock climbing this summer because I know that all of the pain, muscle spasms, and soreness right now are making me stronger and more able to do the things I love.  Shouldn't I be just as eager to show what the Lord is doing in my heart and spirit?