Challenge accepted
Over the last several months, I set a goal to run a half marathon. This 13.1-mile challenge was initiated by my husband and daughter over dinner one night. I spent several months slowly increasing my mileage and endurance. Along the way, I had a few knee issues that I overcame with the help of a good friend and physical therapist, Becky, who also plays the violin at our church. Our youth pastor, Justin, gave me tips to help with my journey, and many friends and family would ask me how my training was going to keep me accountable.
Every week I would run a little further. I was genuinely proud of myself because I'm not much of a "runner" per se. I can do many push-ups, lift a lot of weight, play many different sports, and have the energy to last for days. However, even in the 8th grade, my basketball coach gave me the nickname Molasses because I was so slow. I have since become faster, but that was due to a lot of determination, discipline, and a great training plan.
A few weeks ago, another member of the worship team, Andy, and I hit the trail to run that half marathon. There wasn't a medal at the end, and there weren't crowds of people cheering me on. That was ok with me. I have said all along this journey wasn't for everyone else. It was for me. It was a goal I wanted to achieve to know that I could overcome this physical and mental challenge.
This challenge took time. It took discipline to stay on point with my mileage week to week. I had to find ways to stay motivated along the trail through music, self-talk, and a lot of prayer. Finally, I had to keep my eye on the end goal to accomplish a feat less than one percent of the American population has accomplished.
April and Andy after rocking their half marathon challenge!
I have said this for years, and I believe this last training endeavor reiterates this fact: Physical fitness discipline steps can translate to any other goal you want to achieve.
You cannot simply say you want to do something, and it magically happens. No matter how tight you close your eyes and wish with all your might, you have to put in the work if you want to accomplish something.
If you have done any goal setting before, you have probably heard the acronym SMART. It stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. Making sure your goal hits each of these is vital to having a dream of accomplishing something and a plan.
Did you know that setting goals for yourself, working towards them, and achieving them can increase your emotional well-being? It's true! Research shows that when you work toward goals that align with your interests, it makes you happy.
My question to you is, how are you challenging yourself? We had many immediate challenges last year as we adapted to change, but what are you doing now? How are you trying to become a better you?
God doesn't want us to sloth around this beautiful planet He has created. He certainly doesn't want us to waste the physical and mental masterpiece of which each of us is uniquely made. He gave us this mind that has thoughts and ideas and these bodies that are miraculous machines. What are you doing with it?
Because of my faith, I try to tie biblical principles or quiet times into my goal setting. For example, maybe I listen to inspirational music while I'm working towards a goal. Maybe I spend some quiet time before or during an exercise to give up any lingering stressor to God to remind myself that I may be able to do all these push-ups, but I do not have to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders. Or maybe I set scripture to reflect on during the week to help me stay focused on the goal.
My goals aren't all exercise-related, but that is a huge emotional outlet for me to decompress. I also have goals of being a more level-headed and present mom and wife. In addition, I set goals to read a certain number of books a year. I even set goals to connect with friends I haven't talked to in a while to remind them they mean a lot to me.
Just like any great dad, I believe God is thrilled when we accomplish new things, especially when we involve Him in the process.
So, what is it for you? Do you want to learn a new language to communicate with a neighbor or re-learn to play an instrument you haven't picked up in several years? Maybe you want to be more intentional with your day and learn to say no to things that get in the way of that goal. Perhaps you want to hike Mt. Everest!
My challenge for you is to challenge yourself but include God in the process. You may already know what goal you should set. Write it down and tell some friends or family members about it so they can keep you accountable. Set a timeline. Make a plan. Use this extraordinary mind and body God created just for you to do amazing things. When you accomplish that goal, set a new one.
My next goal, I want to hike something big…but not Mt. Everest.
Go be a blessing,
April Bergez
Worship Leader