The American Cancer society spent over $45 Million on cancer awareness last year. Here is why…People don’t like to go to the doctor, but EARLY DETECTION IS VITAL to surviving the disease!
Now – How spiritually healthy are you? What can you see from your perspective? Want your health to get better? What you put your identity in can propel you forward or prevent you from growing in your spiritual health. Knowing who you are and where you come from leads to transformational perspectives in the heart of a leader and eventually it flows to behaviors. But too often leaders – get – sick. Really – sick. The greatest distraction in our spiritual health is PRIDE. Left to our own pride, our identity begins to come from the wrong things, like an inflated sense of self worth or obtaining more things. Sometimes our pride lead us to the point where we lose credibility, family, marriage, ministry, and even our very sanity. Spiritual health and vitality is at the center of who we are as humans and our spiritual health guides and directs every other area of life.
“Strength happens intentionally not accidentally.”
“…but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
The spiritually healthy person understands balance, focus and intentionality. Balance between being around people and being alone. Focus on why we do what we do and not just what we are doing, and intentionality in action so we can reach our ideal health plan.
What Does a Spiritually Healthy Person Look Like?
#1 They Soar – “they shall mount up with wings like eagles;”
Everyone needs time to dream dreams and see the big picture where we soar. The above scripture says, when we WAIT on the Lord we rise above the action allowing God to show us things we didn’t see before. Soaring means gaining clarity and perspective in action in where you are going. When you soar you gain better understanding of what has happened and where God is calling you. Soaring helps you see what is MOST IMPORTANT. Each one of us needs to learn to soar in our spiritual health. We each need a spiritual health vision statement. Mine is simply this… “to be with Jesus.” Casting a strong empowering vision statement for your spiritual health will give you clarity.
Action Plan: Plan a 1 day spiritual getaway to cast a vision for your spiritual health.
#2 They Stride – “they shall run and not be weary;”
While running the Marine Corps Marathon a few years back I “hit the wall!” Mile 19 was the worst mile I have ever ran in my life. I was weary. My legs were tired, my breath was shallow and my resolve was pathetically weak. I wanted to quit and I didn’t feel like I could complete the race. But then I remembered my motivating factor, If my father a Marine endured through Vietnam, then I can do this. Let your why define your what.
When you are striding you need the right motivation for your action. If you are striding and are weary you probably need to soar more. You are living an imbalanced race.
#3 They Slow Down – “they shall walk and not faint.”
I have met with and coached with so many people who refuse to, and don’t want to slow down. Do you work from your rest or do you rest from your work? This is an important distinction. We were created for God and His purpose and asking His direction seems pretty important to a balanced life. Waiting on the Lord is a primary necessary behavior in the life of a leader and we must excel in this if we are to achieve excellence in our health. “no fainting allowed.” He won’t allow it.
Do you have a vision for your spiritual health with tangible action plans? Can you see clearly the next steps God has for you? Soar, stride, and slow down in your leadership. Live in balance and rediscover your originally intended identity.
Are you striving to be a high capacity leader? Are you a Pastor and need a coach? contact me at josh@activatecoaching.com – Let’s craft your health plan together.
Josh Conn is the founding pastor of 217church, a multi-site, contemporary church in Mercer County NJ. 217church is a family with small groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that meets Sundays in the Hamilton AMC24 Theater 10:00am and Sharon Elementary school in Robbinsville, NJ at 11:00. Our new Robbinsville/East Windsor Campus meets every Sunday. If you are looking for a church in East Windsor NJ, Lawrenceville NJ, Ewing NJ, Robbinsville NJ, Hightstown NJ, Hamilton NJ, Mercer County, Middlesex County or Bucks County, PA, we would love to have you join us. Don’t miss our weekend services. Visit www.217church.com for more information. or watch a weekend message here
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