The Game of Evolution
For me, there is no more vulnerable place than the field or the gym. It’s where we push our bodies and our spirits to their edges. And there is no comfort on the edge.
There is only the balancing act between not allowing yourself to crumble and fall, but also- not allowing yourself to step back in fear… to steer clear from the edge and play it safe.
Safe usually means no growth. In the gym, safe means plateau. It is the very reason why people stop seeing results physically and in their performance. Because they let the fear of the heavier weight, the harder sprint, the little bit more pain they may have to endure in order to GROW— hold them back.
For me, there is no more vulnerable place. No more vulnerable place than the edge. Than the uncomfortable moment between safe…. and evolution.
Being an athlete is more than the physical— it’s vulnerable.
And for those of us that choose to take on the challenge, it’s the very thing that tests our spirit and expands our soul. It’s where God talks to us.
The pain in our lungs after sprints, our shaking legs after lifting heavy weights… it’s all a test of faith. Faith that we’re being led to exactly where we’re supposed to be (wherever that ends up being). Faith that the pain is not only worth it… but it’s necessary.
There are moments in my life that stop me in my tracks, and change the way I see from that point on. A friend asked me once, “how uncomfortable are you willing to be for God?” And that was one of those moments.
I had to ask myself: How uncomfortable am I willing to be?
How uncomfortable am I willing to be, to let go of control long enough— to let God work his Magic?
How committed am I to growing? To becoming my ultimate self (the one I was created for)? To serving the world and serving the purpose & calling he’s placed on my life?
How committed was I?
And was I committed to doing whatever it took, for as long as it took, to get there?
It was a question that changed the way I saw and thought from that point on. It was a question I asked myself then, and a question I have to continue asking myself now.
And the saving grace to that question was the comment she followed up with…
“God has great plans for you today, if only you allow him to show you.”
That’s where she got me. Because confession: I really want to him to show me. It is now, the sport I play.
So, I keep showing up.
I decided I’d do the heavier weight.
I’d run the extra sprint.
I’d put in the extra hours…
because if God does decide to show up—
I want to make sure I’m prepared to meet him.