READ
REFLECT
As athletes, we aim to transcend mediocrity and achieve exceptional feats. Mere attendance at the gym falls short; we invest our most profound passion and commitment into every workout, extracting the maximum value from each movement, exercise, and lift.
Professional CrossFit athlete and eight-time CrossFit games veteran Lauren Fisher explains being as exceptional with the following advice. “My dad always told me when I was younger if I wanted anything in life, I needed to work hard for it, and nothing comes easy. If everything in life was easy, we wouldn’t learn and we wouldn’t grow. By going through tough times and struggles, we are pushed to our fullest potential and find out who we truly are in the process.”
Let’s take a look at Fisher’s habits. What did she do to reach the point where she is today? According to Healthy Celeb, Fisher trains at least five days a week. Her training includes exercises like the assault bike, rowing, running, hollow holds, crushers, dumbbell rows, pull-ups, and more. Thursday is an active recovery day for Fisher and she takes the full day off on Sundays. This tells us that she is consistent and dedicated, both attributes critical for exceptional athletes.
God wants us to be exceptional, too. 1 Peter 2:9 emphasizes how important us believers are for the world. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
To be exceptional spiritually requires an absolute commitment to Christ. It doesn’t mean that we will be perfect or close to it. But it does show God that we show up for Him and that we are on his eternal team. Exceptional also doesn’t mean that we don’t make mistakes. But it does mean that we recognize when we fall short and do our best to improve and grow moving forward.
RESPOND
1. Write down your definition of exceptional.
2. Commit Daniel 6:3 to memory.
