I’ve… tried to write this one dozens of times. But I always delete the draft because I’m not sure how to articulate it and I don’t want to feel attacked in the way I have felt attacked. This morning, I read a Facebook post by one of my friends, and it let me know that it’s time to talk about it. Her post read:
I don’t like to dwell on negative things, but I’ve been told that I’m vain, that exercising a lot is not biblical, that my size isn’t healthy, and that I’m not a good role model. People say these things without having a full picture of what I’ve overcome or what it’s like to be an athlete and train for something. They have perceptions that don’t match reality, often with good intentions, simply because they don’t know or don’t understand.
Let me shine a light on that. Many years ago, I was in an abusive relationship and was a victim of a violent crime. I became irrationally afraid of death, even after I extricated myself from harm. I was afraid to go to my college classes, and I was afraid for my loved ones. I turned to alcohol as a numbing mechanism. I carried a flask in my rodeo bag. I can still smell Black Label Jim Beam in my mind. One day, I came across Matthew 11:28 in the Bible. “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” I was tired. I accepted Christ in a little cowboy church, and I’m happy to say that, because of my faith, I have been sober for over ten years.
I believe people can worship God in many ways. Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Some women worship the Lord through song, grateful for the vocal cords He gave them. Some women worship the Lord when they sew, grateful for the diligent hands He gave them. Some women worship the Lord as they garden, grateful for the green thumbs He gave them. I worship God when I lift weights, grateful for the strength He has given me, mentally and physically, as well as the fact that He lifted me out of the darkness of alcoholism. When I eat well and train, that is my way of honoring Him with my body (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). And when I compete at a bodybuilding show, I am the one reading my Bible backstage and telling everyone who will listen about Jesus. Because, in my prayer life, God has very clearly indicated that that is my mission field.
Imagine what the world would be like if people simply asked about things they don’t understand.
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