Shannon: Heart Check Needed

I've been in awe for at least the past 24 hours to see what has sprung to life in this Health Revolution of 2010 thing. I guess I didn't expect much to come of it, but we have almost two dozen people across the US participating and somehow, it's all coming together. People are embarking on a journey that could mean huge changes for each and every one of them....me included.

But I have to speak out on something that has been an undercurrent of this work...and that is the Lord. Being a Christian isn't a requirement in order to have the support and motivation provided in this forum, but I wanted to share my heart on something huge because I could not maintain integrity through this if I didn't. The Lord is at the center of this whole thing! Changing your life - becoming healthy, well, and fit, can only be 100% meaningful and 100% successful when we do it to glorify our Creator.

And that is the bottom line here folks. We can change our shopping habits, our eating habits, our exercise habits and all the rest...but if we're not in it for the Lord's glory and His glory ALONE, even if we superficially succeed in our endeavors, the trophy at the end is an empty cup.

Additionally, the truth is, none of us will truly succeed without His help and He won't help someone who is selfishly motivated or spurred on by their own vanity. He won't share his glory with anyone or anything.

So why would I share this? Why would I rain on the motivation parade with such .... "depressing"....news? (The news that it's not just a simple change in behavior...?) Because I've walked it. I have done this "get up and do something" kick off more times than I can count. And I've failed every time. I was foolish to think that just because I had a group of people looking to me for motivation and support and coordination of this whole thing, that somehow the accountability would unlock everything and the pounds would melt away. The truth is, God is more interested in my character than my weight loss endeavors. He's not going to let the pounds on the outside of my body melt away until the hardness of my heart has melted first. I've tried to get around it; I've tried getting past it. I'm still 100 lbs overweight.

So before you beat yourself up for the cheat on your diet or the failure to get up and go to the gym, look to my mistake and let it be a lesson to you. It's not about the cheat or the not working out. It's about your motivation. The "why?" of why you're in this to begin with. Your success depends upon the Lord. You can't get around it or push past it any better than I have...not with any real or worthwhile success. And no, shedding the weight in and of itself isn't real or worthwhile success.

It's time for a heart check! And no, I'm not suggesting you see a cardiologist. It's time to get on your knees, down on your face and allow your creator in! If it's for the first time, I guarantee the laundry list is longer than your eating or exercise indiscretions. If it's for the first time regarding your health, wellness and fitness endeavors, then join me in asking for pure hearts, motivated to glorify God in everything we do...even what we eat and drink and how we exercise.

Therefore, whether you eat or dink, or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31

Because then, and only then, will each of us reach the end with a true WIN! God will deliver you from bondage and longs to do so! He created you with a purpose and plan for your life! If you feel the heaviness of the chains of extra body weight or unhealthiness attributed to your poor choices, then know, that more than your body being free - God longs, more than anything to show you how your HEART can be free!! Being in shape and physically healthy will feel infinitely better when you are spiritually healthy! And that happens through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ on the cross. It's THERE that each and every one of us will find our TRUE WINS in this life and for all of eternity!

Consider this to be my loving warning, dear friends and fellow sojourners. I want all of us to cross the finish line, not with empty cups, but with heads held high, knowing that the Lord has been glorified in all that has been accomplished! So, please, stop....get your heart checked. And if you need some help finding your way to the checking station...please use one of these resources:

http://www.iamsecond.com/

1-800-NeedHim

or email me - mrsshannonwright@gmail.com

God bless and keep every one of you as we make this journey together!