I have a secret. It’s not something I usually volunteer, but probably a lot of guys would agree. Wondering what this deep, dark secret might be? Okay here it is: I think it would be great to have six-pack abs.
And that pretty much sums it up, I think it would be great.
I do exercise, but not enough to cultivate that sort of thing; and I try to eat right (mostly) but I know there are certain foods that enhance or detract from developing the washboard look. No, I don’t follow the rules (and really am only vaguely aware they exist because I’ve briefly looked into it and it seemed impossible). I’m just not that committed so it remains a distant, nice thought.
People who really want that sort of thing really have to work and sacrifice for it. It may be easier for some with ‘good genes’ but even then, they don’t just magically appear.
The same is true in our relationship with God. He is not the one holding out on me. He waits for me to come, while I decide whether it’s worth it or not. Seems sort of silly when I put it that way, but every day I make decisions to live in grace or indulge my selfishness.
We sacrifice for what we want. Sometimes that has very negative consequences as we can sacrifice our health, finances, relationships, etc. for what will make our lives ‘better.’ Then we look at God and think, “I know You’d like me to read my Bible right now but I don’t want to, I don’t have enough me-time.”
A reality check may be in order: all time is “me-time.” Each of us decides what is important and what our priorities will be for a given day. I believe our goal has to be to allow the Holy Spirit to turn our me-time into God-time so that He lives His life through us.
There are probably only a few things in life that we sacrifice greatly for and find out it’s worth it. I may not be able to answer definitively whether six-pack abs is one of those things, but I do know that seeking God with reckless abandon certainly is. The hardships, sacrifices, and difficulties we walk through lead us somewhere.
Many may not understand or see what you see, but our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2 Corinthians 4:17). It may not be easy or what we want to do, but once we engage we discover that the real sacrifice was already made and we are recipients of this great gift. When our goal–our heart–is set on knowing Him, we can’t be disappointed by the results because He shows up and reveals more of His love and character.
I hope you have experienced this as I have. We turn around, in that moment flooded with grace, and we realize that it wasn’t a sacrifice God was after but a surrender.
Have you ever had a secret goal? Have you ever pursued God or anything else with reckless abandon?
This post is adapted from something I wrote a couple years ago and I have included it as part of the One Word blog carnival hosted by Peter Pollock where this time the topic is Goals. Head on over to read all the posts there.
44 Comments
I’m with you -- I would “like” to have a six pack, but I definitely have not been making the sacrifices needed to see that happen. I like my ice cream WAY too much! lol
As far as pursing God, I’ve noticed lately that I haven’t been pursuing HIm with the same reckless abandonment that I used to. I’m getting back to that level -- making the decision to say no to some of the things I like to do and yes to spending more time with him.
Jason Vana recently posted..The Single Man vs The Matchmaker
I’m with you on the ice cream and I love nachos too.
It’s amazing as we keep going how we have to guard our passion by staying focused in a different way. Totally get what you’re saying. Thanks Jason.
I have always wanted to play the guitar but not enough to actually spend the money and the time to do it.
I love that phrase “reckless abandon.” That is my desire in relationship with Christ.
Kevin Martineau recently posted..God blesses faithfulness
I have a guitar and tried to teach myself, but I need lots more practice! I’m with you on the reckless abandon too. All for Jesus! Thanks Kevin.
I would like to be a good cook. I’m not pursuing that any time soon, because while I think it would be nice, I’d prefer if that skill could just be downloaded like an app.
I am a huge fan of reckless abandon when it comes to God-things. Relentless pursuit of the things of God means I’m running after eternal, not ephemeral.
I wouldn’t call myself a good cook, but I like to explore new recipes. That’s pretty fun. I know what you mean though.
And yes, launching out after the eternal is always a worthy pursuit. Thanks Kristin!
I always wanted to be a Calvin Klein model… but who am I kidding right… certainly not myself. ((And yes, I am joking…)
I strive to never say no to God’s leading…
Dusty Rayburn recently posted..Called to Follow Jesus
Hey, Dusty, follow your bliss!
And yeah, it may be uncomfortable at times, but following His leading is an adventurous and wonderful way to live. Thanks.
I strive to remove the words “always” and “never” from my speech. Only my Father can use those words and mean them.
Donald Borsch Jr recently posted..Monday- Two loaded questions
That’s a good point. I need to clean up my speech in that regard too.
thanks Donald!
However, why the need for ‘six-pack abs’ when you can just let it go and get yerself ‘keg abs’? ha!
Donald Borsch Jr recently posted..Monday- Two loaded questions
I once wanted a 6 pack (no not the other kind) but decided the genes were not in my favor. I once wanted straight legs but the same thing was true. I had wanted hair for a long time but then I realized how nice it was not to have any. My real goal? To have a heart the pursues God and to be the best husband, father, grandfather and pastor I can be. Whew! I just blew my spiritual words for the day in one fell swoop. Maybe I ought to have new words as a goal. Good thoughts today Jason.
bill (cycleguy) recently posted..Doorkeeper
Yes, Bill! I’m with you. Got to the main thing the main thing.
I actually have 6 pack abs…waaaaaaaay down deep…I don’t like to show off, so I hide them under layers of flab. Man, the things I do for unity! ;-0
Actually, I guess we all do, but it’s so good of you not you tempt others to jealousy. You are a good man, Jay!
I pursue everything with reckless abandon. That’s not always a good thing but that’s just the way I’m wired. I’m an all or nothing kind of guy. I succeed beautifully or fail miserably. I’m okay with that.
Tony Alicea recently posted..Moved With Compassion
I know what you mean, Tony. I can’t say it about everything but for the most part I have an attitude that if it’s important then we need to go after it 110%. Thanks man.
I saw this yesterday and thought of you. This should be the answer to your dream:
AbEnhancer
Tony Alicea recently posted..The Divorce Experts
Wow! The answer to my prayers!
Is that thing real? All I can say is, wow. Thanks Tony.
Amen, brother. Amen. All of Nothing should be our battle cry, and we should tattoo it upon our war faces.
Donald Borsch Jr recently posted..Monday- Two loaded questions
I had a secret goal of running a 5k. It got derailed for a while. I hope to begin trying to achieve it soon.
Go for it, Matt! That would be great.
May you reach all your goals. My goal is to stop being late all the time!
Thank you, Hazel.
You too!
sacrifice
abandon
surrender
give
receive
gifts
seek
see
God
Love
give
Love
nance marie recently posted..get ready
Thank you, Nance.
Don’t tell anyone, but I read this on my drive home from college today and couldn’t wait to comment.
I have 2 abs.
I’m still waiting for the other 4.
But I realized something while I was driving. I had just stopped at culvers for a burger to eat on the way home and I realized something, you’re so right. I don’t give things my “everything”.
Sacrificing my entire life to God will give the results. It won’t be elusive. Happiness and freedom of the spirit are mine to gain.
That’s the key. So simple and seemingly so difficult at the same time. To live, we have to die. Thanks DS. Didn’t mean to hamper your burger enjoyment.
I’m beginning to pursue that secret goal. But it’s not like anything I expected it to be. Good post, Jason.
Glynn recently posted..My Moment of Sports Glory
I’m going to assume this is a great thing and say, Godspeed my friend! I’m sure it will be a great blessing in the end. Thanks Glynn.
I’d love six-pack abs myself. Being the mother of five gives me a good excuse to fall short on that one.
But what excuse could I ever offer for not pursuing God whole-heartedly, at any cost? It gets sidelined too often, but it has to keep being the “just one thing,” whatever the cost.
I like the way you put this in perspective, Jason.
Ha! Yeah, 5 kids. I think we can give you a pass.
Thanks Anne. We just keep spurring one another on to good works!
I once had a six pack. Sadly, two c-sections put an end to that. My prayer is that I pursue God with the reckless abandon that I’ve pursued other things that now seem…reckless.
katdish recently posted..Permission to laugh
Ow. That’s a good excuse.
And that’s a great prayer too. Thanks Kat.
This sounds too familiar. Always trying to get that elusive six pack that so many strive for but never get there. It is definately tough and takes a lot of self decipline. It’s not just the workout and the nutrition. Most of it is mentally getting there and following through.
Thanks Darren.
As a guy who has labored hard (and still unsuccessfully) for that six-pack, I loved this post. The interesting thing about willing sacrifice is that is entirely based on priorities. I give up something in exchange for something I want more. As I get that greater thing, what I gave up pales in comparison. So is our pursuit of God. As we get to know Him more, we realize we are not really sacrificing anything!
Thanks for the awesome post!
I appreciate it, Noah! Thank you.
I have tried to have a 6-pack, but my attempts are not enough. My wife cooks too good to be able to have it. Maintaining relationship with God has been even harder. But I trust that I will know HIm more as i grow older and wiser. Peace.
Thanks Noel. He definitely desires for each of us to know Him as He knows us. He’s always there to help us out when we trust Him. I really appreciate your stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
6 pack abs would be great… but if they were easy, we’d all have them already
David Norman recently posted..What’s your thing?
This is what I’m saying, David.
Thanks sir!
one of my goals for 2012 is to be more healthier wouldn’t say 6 pack abs or a samson like body. And trust we on this growing up in a guyanese culture the food we cook can really pack the weight on you. But like it says in the bible its our chose to either chose blessings or curses. and one of those blessings is a healthy body/lifestyle. I never realized this but there is a dietary style plan in the bible Genesis chapter 1 and Deuteronomy chapter 8. Now I see how Abraham lived so long
I know exactly what you mean. I used to say that life was too short to eat bad tasting food until the Holy Spirit reminded me that I was His temple and not my own. That’s great wisdom: we get the choice, health and life, just as He gave it to us. Thanks Andrew!