For the first time in my life I am working with a training once every week or two in a gym. In an effort to safely become more flexible and have a stronger core, I knew I needed to be intentionally disciplined. I also recognized that my knowledge was at best antiquated, more likely lacking in the critical areas. While I could address the first part, I needed help for the latter! This is where someone with the expertise and willingness to help came in. I should have known it was not going to be a cakewalk if I had taken the time to look up the meaning of his name. It includes the descriptors of lion, high, and elevated.
Initially the euphoria masked the intensity that I could feel growing in our time together as well as in my personal workout sessions. As we started a recent session I commented that I had a bit of tightness in my legs.
“Where?”
“Primarily along the outside, the long muscles that work when I am running or on the elliptical machine.”
“We can work on that today, but I need to let you know something. It is going to hurt.”
His gentle smile and laughter with the last phrase should have been a red flag. The act of forming a plank and rolling myself over the baby roller did more than hurt. It hurt a lot! As the sweat and tears mixed together in a blissful cover-up, I tried to push harder.
“How is it going? Does it hurt?”
“Really? You have to ask?”
I can see the difference because of his work. Already when I look back, my comment to others is that “he trained us first, passed us like silver through refining fires.” (Psalm 66.10) He is not worried about results. He knows they will come.
It is a slow process but it is already paying dividends. Much in life follows the same model. Growth within follows a similar path. It is painful but so sweet when one has an opportunity to embrace the results.
