Purpose, August 11
Inside the Cancer Journey: Daily Reflections for Those Coping with Cancer
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Written by Karen Wonders
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (Revelation 4:11 NIV).
God gave me a love for health and fitness before He gave me a love for Himself. As a result, I have spent most of my life studying all things exercise. I am highly involved with the “fitness culture.” I run half marathons. Most of my friends embrace a healthy lifestyle. I love to read fitness blogs and watch videos to find great ideas about new exercises. I spent nine years of my life studying the effects of exercise on the human body. Exercise is good for you. And I get that.
Sometimes, in the world of fitness, I see misinformed people make mistakes. At the gym, I see people with horrendous weightlifting form. I hear all kinds of exercise-related myths (no, it really doesn’t matter if you work out in the morning or the evening!) I see people willing to try anything to obtain the perfect body.
Of course, physical training is of some value (see 1 Timothy 4:8). Yet as we train, let’s keep our focus on God! Let’s maximize our health so that we can fulfill our God-given purpose.
God created us in His image (see Genesis 1:27). We are here to know Him, to honor Him, and to share Him with others. In short, we are here to glorify God. Through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers, we can learn what His will is for our lives. He gave us each special interests, gifts, and passions that He wants us to use for His glory. Until we do this, we will never be satisfied with living a meaningless, yet busy, life.
We only have one life. We are only given one body. Take care of yourself by making healthy choices. Exercise. Eat healthy, whole foods. Drink water. Get enough sleep. Spend time daily in prayer. Study God’s Word. These choices will help you make your body the strongest it can be. And when you are strong, you will be able to live out your God-given purpose. You will have the energy to live, work, and serve others. Your life will glorify God!
Pray: Dear heavenly Father, Thank You for creating me in Your image. Thank You that You have good plans for my life. Help me to discover what my purpose is for being on this earth. I pray You will work out Your purpose for my life, and that through it, I can bring You glory! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen
Your Turn: What is one healthy choice you can make today to make yourself the very best version of you?
Karen Y. Wonders, PhD, FACSM, Cancer Caregiver
Karen is the Founder and CEO of Maple Tree Cancer Alliance, and Professor/Program Director of Exercise Physiology at Wright State University. Her passion is to advocate for exercise as part of the national standard of care for cancer. Her non-profit organization provides free exercise training to thousands of cancer survivors every month (www.mapletreecanceralliance.org). Dr. Wonders and her husband have 7 children—aged 16 and younger. If you think her hands are full, you should see her heart!
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