BEE Refined

Have you ever read a scripture, but not taken it to heart?

That’s what I’ve done with this Proverb,

¹⁸ Where there is no vision, the people perish… Proverbs 29:18

I got to a point in my fitness & nutrition training that I was just over it. I had gone full force for nearly two years straight with strict dieting and exercising, with very minimal time off. I love training, but I got to a point where it was just too much for me.  So for the past few months, I have continued to work out and watch what I am eating, but I’ve had no goals, no restrictions, and no schedule.
And can I make a confession?

** These past few months have been amazing and horrible rolled into one. **

I have loved allowing myself to go to the gym when I want or don’t want to. I have enjoyed not counting every calorie that goes into my mouth. I have been overjoyed not to take progress pictures or to touch a scale. I have loved the freedom I have experienced. But I’ve seen my body composition change over the past few months. I haven’t been pleased with where I am, so the freedom I have had seems to be rather pointless in the end.

So as of yesterday, I am beginning again. But as I embark on this journey of #BeeingRefined again, I am doing things differently. I’ve learned that we can not hang our hats on extremes. I can’t go from being totally restrictive to partaking in a complete free for all.

I have learned that I don’t need freedom from my disciplines, but I need freedom in my disciplines. But from my experience, I can not achieve freedom on my own.  Instead, I must invite the Lord on my journey. For the Word says, Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. – 2 Corinthians 3:17 And I’m in need of His freedom.

I have decided that I am in need of goals, restrictions, and schedules so that I can achieve the vision in mind. But, any vision will not do. I need the vision of God. We are created in the image of God, but too often we are yielding ourselves into each others image. We substitute His vision for others. We decide, without consulting our Creator, what diets and fitness routines are best for us. We wind up doing 30 days of this and 30 days of that, all to no avail.

It’s no surprise we fail, for the Word says, Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain- Psalm 127:1

And are we not the house of God?

It is time to consult our Creator on how we should diet, exercise, and live. It is time to get the Lord’s vision. But how do we get God’s vision? Getting God’s vision seems impossible at times, but it’s quite simple.  He has shown me three ways to get a vision & succeed.

1. Ask- The word says, ‘Call to me, and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’- Jeremiah 33:3

It is not God’s unwillingness to answer, but our unwillingness to ask. If we ask the Lord, He will show us what to do. You do not have to worry about not being able to hear Him or find Him because His Word assures us of both.

13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

We will hear Him as we seek Him and He will tell us where to go.

21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah. 30:21) .

When we are seeking for His direction we must realize He talks to each of us differently. God did not make One Size Fits All ears. Some of the ways God speaks include His Word, His Spirit (Still small voice), His people, and our circumstances.

He might have someone suggest a program that would have never crossed your mind. He may have you research and try a diet that is entirely foreign. Or He may show you how to make changes to the plans you already have.

Regardless of His way of communicating, He will answer if we ask. And as we ask we know our plans will be blessed.
   For it is written,  Share your plans with the Lord, and you will succeed. – Proverbs16:3

2. Act- The word says, Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.

Once the Lord gives us an impression of what to do, we must take action. We must do our part to see that the vision is made a reality.  Just as we must be doers of the word (Ref. James 1:22), we must be doers of what God is telling us to do.

For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power 1st Corinthians 4:20.

3. Abide –  Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear the fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.- John 15:4

Once God gives us the plan and shows us action to take it can be easy to cut off the conversation from God. However, He gives us plans that are fueled by Him if we try to accomplish His plans without Him we are doomed to fail.

For it says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing. John 15:5

Whether you need God’s plan for fitness and nutrition like me or help with an unlovable person or an undesirable job, God has a plan for you. We just have to be willing to ask, act, and abide. And as we do, we will see the success our soul desires.