“Your Mama Doesn’t Work Here, Re-Rack Your Weights!”

  Frustration can sometimes get the very best of me. I have to work really hard at NOT letting my emotions overrule what I know to be the “right way” to be.  When I show up for work and I have to clean up after somebody’s “mess” (Dumbbells, barbells, plyometric benches, 45 and 55 pound plates, etc.), I’m instantly “challenged,” to say the very least, to keep my mouth shut. Oh, the grumblings that go on in my head and beneath my breath (at least, I hope they remain there)!

I’ve tried all the “human” remedies ~~ speaking to the people in charge to give me help to “mop up the leftovers,” hoping they’ll get a HINT. I’ve even calmly suggested to a manager that MAYBE he should organize a team to routinely canvass the area throughout the day to assure it’s kept orderly and free from debris. All to no avail.

So what’s a girl to do?! This 5’1″ frame puts on her weight lifting gloves and gets in there to clean up. I daily go in with the attitude of “where is it and how much do I need to move?”

“God, I KNOW there’s purpose behind this … SOMEWHERE amongst all this iron, there’s PURPOSE and a “lesson” for me.”

The “debris;” the “aftermath;” the “fallout” of intense work. (I feel an ‘aha’ moment about to strike!)

When I’m in the midst of a trial ~~ a battle ~~ do I leave behind the “remnants” of my “mess?” Is my attitude throughout the battle a godly one, or am I making a mockery of the Word of God? Do I draw attention to myself for the sake of getting attention or for emotional support? Am I providing an environment that is “welcoming” and “receptive” to those who are seeking God in their own trials and battles? Am I being “that example” to the ones coming up behind me?

And when it’s all said and done, have I left a “mess” of broken relationships or unnecessary behavior that would destroy my Christian walk in front of the world? Have I truly shown others that The Holy Spirit, does in fact, help us in our time of need?

Philippians 1:9-11 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. 

Well, as I showed up for work today, you can guess nothing had changed.  The obstacle course had seemed to breakup and find places to retreat into.  Here, there, and everywhere.  As I maneuvered around the room hauling heavy objects out of the way, the “aha moment” struck me.

Ironically God tapped me on the brain ~~ “muscle” ~~ “spiritual muscle.”

Every “messy room” represented the fallout of tools.  All the equipment is the stuff with which we use to increase our muscle mass.  It’s weighted.  When we are strong enough to conquer our goals using the tools we have, we use different tools.  

God loads up His Child with spiritual tools to conquer those spiritual battles.  When we have shown Him that we understand how and when to use them, He loads us up with more spiritual tools to develop spiritual muscle.

Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. 

After every battle, am I putting my spiritual tools back into my toolbelt for future use?  Or am I so eager and excited that I ‘forget’ what God has done for me and leave my stuff lying around?

We are meant to learn every life lesson that God brings our way ~~ it’s character muscle building.  But we must not forget to put away our experiences and blessings for future reflection.

“Thank You, Lord, that I have a job that I can do well.  And thank You for causing me to pause and reflect through the messiness of life.”

LindaRJohnson

T2T Visionary