In My Case--Pathetic Rhymes with Olympic

In honor of the Olympic events going on in the next few weeks, I've decided to try and take an event that I personally participate in and post it in the Healthy Habits section as to why I choose to participate in it. Hopefully, this will spur others onto a certain event and at the end of each article be encouraged not because of what I do, but because of why I do it.





This week's featured event is swimming. *Gutteral sigh* I have a like/dislike relationship with swimming. There are a few dislikes I have about swimming. The bathing suit aspect is one of them. Ugh! The second is the pathetic and awkward quality in which I swim. If clumsiness is an event in swimming, then I definitely take the gold. I am most definitely not a finesse swimmer. I am rough, graceless and thrash-prone.





What I like about swimming is the low-impact, endurance aspect. I love the methodical and disciplined product that is hammered out in you as you swim lap after lap. Down and back, back and down, down and back. There's no high dance beat drumming in your ears, no ultra-video effects to tease your eyes. Just the push and motivation to faithfully endure each lap. There's something raw about it. A friend of ours who has completed multiple ironman triathlons, encouraged me to exercise with as little outward motivation as possible. In other words, just you and the event...nothing else.






I can easily draw a similar picture in the spiritual realm. It's easy to participate in this biblical race when there are a variety of outward attractions for you to run with; but the real endurance comes from the inward, steady dominance of the Holy Spirit. I need no other motivation; no other attraction, but Him.





So swimming holds a strong appeal for me in those terms. It builds heart healthy endurance while going easy on the joints. It helps me to physically be able to build muscle and cardio strength.





More importantly though for me, is it helps to build a kind of spiritual endurance by disciplining me with each lap. Making me strive for the kind of endurance that I desire to parallel in my spiritual life for the glory of God. It allows me techno-free motivation which gives me a freed mind and heart to concentrate on prayer; past sermons and teachings; and yes! even the occasional blog article is spun during the time required.



Another, lesser reason I like swimming is it is helping in breathing control. While I am nowhere near in vocal talents or gifts as my fellow, musical genius counterparts, I do have the privilege of singing in choir at church. Swimming has helped me not only in controlling my breath, but increasing my lung capacity for air. Thus, it can (and has) helped in the area of music at church.



So in conclusion, swimming, while making me look foolish on the outside, at most times, has helped me build the kind of physical and spiritual heart that a good foundation of endurance can be made and for that, I am most thankful to my Lord and Saviour for allotting me the time here on earth to swim.