I’ve never been the most athletic guy.  For most of my adult life, I have avoided great physical exertion for the purpose of being healthy and fit.  Actually, those moments of” blood, sweat and tears” were almost always the result of helping a friend move.  And the pain I would feel for the next several days was a great reminder of two things.

Rule #1: I am way out of shape and will probably always be so. (Otherwise known as “thikarowndamidda”)

Rule#2. Trying to get in shape will likely result in pain.  (Otherwise known as “fear”.)

I have almost always enjoyed Rule #1.

Yes, there were times when I secretly wished that I could walk up a flight of stairs without being out of breath.  Yes, it would be nice to be content with an apple and a glass of water, but a Whopper with cheese (no onions) tastes so much better.

I found myself in a health funk.  I liked it.  Felt bad about it..  Had no motivation to do anything about it.

I would even buy pants an inch smaller with the conviction that I would one day actually fit in to them.

Being shaped isn’t comfortable.

I have learned to embrace a key promise that God makes.

He’s not through with us yet.  In other words, we have a sense that we should improve in some area of our life, yet resign ourselves to concluding that it’s not terribly likely that that improvement will come to pass.

What’s the core area that we should desire improvement in?  Hint: It’s not physical, but rather it is spiritual, emotional and relational.

A relationship with God.  Relationships with people.

It is through an intentional willingness to conform to the likeness of God  that we experience growth.  It’s the idea that we are molded and shaped into His desire for us and not our own.

Moving from that place in our life of being out of shape towards getting into a new shape isn’t easy.  At the same time, being in the shape that God has in store for us and not the shape we have in mind is where we will find the most satisfaction.

Consider these important truths about the shape God desires for us.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  (Romans 12: 2)

Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.  You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.  (Ephesians 4:21-24)

God desires to be at work in us and through us.  The key for how we can live this out is this.

Will we let Him shape us or are we ok with being spiritually, emotionally and relationally ... “thikarowndamidda”?

Refer to Rule #2.