I was at the gym last night, not too surprising, and something happened that gave me insight to the Extreme Lifestyle.  As I was working out next to a young man that I have been working with and something interesting happened.  He was looking for the 30 pound dumbbells and they were nowhere to be found. 

  He said something that stuck out to me, "Well I guess I will have to use the 20 pound Dumbbells because the 25's are gone too."  As he was saying this one thing popped into my mind, "Why not use the 35 pound dumbbells?"  It was at that moment that I realized that I wasn't thinking it, My mouth was saying it.  I guess the mental filter goes out the window when I work out. 

   He looked at me with a quizzical look on his face and said, "They are gone too!" Before I could stop myself I blurted out "Grab the 40's then!"   He kind stammered out " ooohhh  Kkaay."  He then proceeded to knock out 3 sets at five reps.  He started to walk a little taller and had more spring in his step after that...

  One may be asking what does this have to do with "Beating the Air" and an "Extreme Lifestyle?"  I think Applies very well here.

  In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul writes "Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air." (v. 26) 

  What a powerful way to describe the life that we should be living.  We should be running with purpose and intention.  The only problem we have is that when things don't go our way or things get tough how often we take the easy road.  It is so easy to just turn our back and ignore it or walk around the problem. 

  Let’s take studying our Bible for an example.  One of the biggest hurdles we face when we read and study Gods word is "It’s so hard" and "I just can’t understand it."  We use the excuse of "Its hard" to allow us to not read and study God word.  In my mind this is the "easy" way out. It’s no different than grabbing the light Dumbbells because, 'The ones I usually use are gone." How about "I'm just so tired, I don't want to get up and have quiet time with God."  All of these are examples of us Running Aimlessly and Beating the Air.

  An Extreme Lifestyle is Tough.  Sometimes we just have to step up the weight or commit to going when we don't want to.  Sometimes it means tackling a tough passage of scripture with intense focus and a prayerful heart knowing that God will show you what He is saying. 

  Sometimes it means setting the annoying alarm clock 14 1/2 minutes earlier so you can spend time talking with God. 

  Sometimes it means getting out of your comfort zone and sharing Christ with someone even when they may never talk to you again.  It means "Getting Comfortable with being Uncomfortable." (Strength Coach Elliot Hulse)

  Next time you cross the road that is blocked by hardship or plans fall apart and the 30 or the 35 pound Dumbbells are being used...

Let’s not Beat the Air or Run Aimlessly...

Let’s Go Big!

Let’s Live Extreme!