What the Faithful 5K Proved: It’s Time for the Body of Christ to Get in Shape

 What the Faithful 5K Proved: It’s Time for the Body of Christ to Get in Shape“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus…” — Hebrews 12:1–2The inaugural Faithful 5K is over—but I don’t think what happened in Greenbrier was really about running 3.1 miles.We had 165 people register, families running together, churches serving side by side, businesses investing in their community, volunteers pouring themselves out, and virtual racers participating across seven different states.And underneath all of it was something deeper:God is doing something in His Church that has to do with the body—both our physical bodies and the Body of Christ.In this episode, I’m taking a short break from the Menopause in the Light series to reflect on what the Faithful 5K taught me about fitness, faith, community, endurance, and why I believe it’s time for the Bride of Christ to get in better shape.We’ll talk about:Why people are hungry for something deeper than sets, reps, macros, and aestheticsWhat happened when multiple churches and Christian organizations chose to serve together without needing their own name at the centerWhy the Faithful Cross became one of the most meaningful parts of the morningWhat it means to recognize your body as something through which you live your callingWhy Christian fitness was never supposed to be an isolated pursuitThe unexpected power of an out-and-back race where runners continually encouraged one anotherWhy your body does not have to be impressive to glorify GodWhat this event reminded me about the mission of Faithful FitnessAnd I’ll tell you about Mr. Roy.When we first started working together more than five years ago, Roy had battled heart disease, multiple surgeries, pain, and a body that made something as simple as walking my driveway difficult.Saturday, he finished a 5K.He finished last. He refused rides. Men went back onto the course to walk beside him. Police stayed with him. His family waited. Racers who had finished long before stayed at the finish line because they wanted to see him cross it.And when someone asked how he was able to keep going, his answer was basically:Get a good coach. Walk with God. And be stubborn enough not to stop.That’ll preach.Because Hebrews doesn’t tell us, “Let me run with endurance.” It says:“Let us run with endurance.”Maybe you’re crushing it right now.Turn around and encourage somebody behind you. Maybe you’re struggling. Keep going. But either way, stop trying to do this fitness thing alone. Your Next Faithful Step -If you want to get honest about where you are and identify your next step, take the Faithful Fitness Assessment. https://faithfulfitness.co/assessmentYou’ll assess yourself across the four areas we use in Faithful Fitness:Integrity. Grit. Growth. Awe.The goal isn’t a perfect score. It’s clarity. And completing the assessment will also reserve your place for our upcoming LIVE Faithful Fitness seminar on September 2nd, where we’ll continue this conversation together.Take the Faithful Fitness Assessment and find your next faithful step. Make the most of the body God’s given you.Train Hard. Pray Harder.—Coach AlexBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/faithful-fitness-with-coach-alex-vanhouten--5150768/support.