Journal the Journey

So I did it. I put on my workout clothes, grabbed my car keys and started out on my fifteen minute drive to the gym. I found it quite comforting that it was still dark outside; I am a night owl, after all. I’ve seen 4:30 am many times in my life, but it was always because I had stayed up all night – not because I chose to get out of bed at that crazy hour. I did feel slightly tempted to turn around and go back to my cozy bed, but it wasn’t too hard to overcome. I was now excited to start my day off working out with my friend that I don’t get to see that often.

If you’re naturally a morning person, or have become one because of a job or something, then my 4:30 struggle may seem stupid to you. In fairness, try to imagine you, early bird, choosing to be a night owl one night a week for good reason, knowing you would still have to get up the next morning like usual. And if you are capable of being early bird and night owl without any problems, then just know I envy you, Energizer Bunny.

Here are a few things I learned through my early morning workout experience that I want to share:

1) In my weakness, God is strong. Though I’m not naturally inclined to be a morning person, that doesn’t mean I can’t become one when driven by purpose to get up earlier than normal because He helps me in the big and the small things of life. I am more than a conqueror through Christ, and I feel completely ok with stating this truth in regards to such a petty story in comparison to all of the much harder things out there because I’ve seen Him be my strength and make me a conqueror through hard stuff. This was important to me because God’s been working on turning me into more of a woman of my word. I said I was going to be there, so I needed to be there.

2) There’s something about accountability that really makes a difference. I knew at least two people were hoping I would keep my word- my friend and my husband. If neither of them knew of my commitment, it would’ve been MUCH harder to get up that early and work out alone. This can translate into every area of life. We were created for relationship, first with God and then with people. People can help you get better in weak areas if you are willing to kill your pride and open up to people that are willing and able to help you.

3) The accountability was very important to me in this small victory, but there was one thing more important. It involves the Holy Spirit in me actively working in my thought life at an hour that I would normally only be inclined to listen to my flesh. As I contemplated cancelling via text and climbing back into bed as soon as I got up, God graciously directed my thoughts down a path like this:

“When you look back on this tomorrow or the next day, are you going to be glad you made the choice you did? Will you feel better to get 2 hours of sleep now, which won’t matter by tomorrow anyways, or will you feel better that you kept your word and got to start your day by working out with a new friend, with the added bonus of disciplining your body in the process in more ways that one?” I decided getting to be around her so our friendship can continue to strengthen was more important than that sleep. I decided that how I feel should not be able to dictate my actions. I decided that being a woman of my word is more important than a full night’s rest.

And ya know what? I’m so thankful I did. No regrets. And I am hopeful all these lessons I’ve learned will make it at least a tiny bit easier to get up when that alarm goes off at 4:30 again this Wednesday.