The Core

"My core is sore." My husband & I said that to each other for a couple months. In January, we went to a personal trainer to help us get our "core" in shape! I love to run & my husband has played hockey for 40 years, so we know cardio....however, we felt that we needed to spend some time (at 6:00 in the morning~yuck) to strengthen our core. We spent 2 months working on the core & what a difference it has made, even in the way I run.

Mayo Clinic has this to say about the core muscles:
"Your body's core is the area around your trunk and pelvis. When you have good core stability, the muscles in your pelvis, lower back, hips and abdomen work in harmony. Strong core muscles make it easier to do most physical activities — from swinging a golf club to getting a glass off a top shelf or bending down to tie your shoes. Weak core muscles leave you susceptible to poor posture, lower back pain and muscle injuries."

When the core is stable & strong, it strengthens the whole body! Weak core muscles leave you susceptible to injury. Interesting...once again there is a connection between the physical principles and the spiritual.

My daughter went to a conference recently whose theme was "CORE: Life should resemble the inner existence through the outward expression". What a powerful statement. Our inner life should be stable & strong, so it strengthens the whole body~inside & out, then others will recognize Jesus in us.

How do we strengthen our core? Here's a great start......

1) Get the Word in your heart. Meditate on a scripture each week. Write it on a note card or sticky note & carry it with you where you go. (read it over & over; asking the Lord to make it personal to you; speaking the Word out loud over you life).
*If you are not sure where to start, go to the little epistles (letters) in the New Testament: Galations, Ephesians, Philippians or Colossians. These are great books that teach us how to live.

2) Be connected in a body of believers (church) where you are strengthened by the teaching of the Word of God.

3) Hang out with people who love Jesus~whose lives are the "inner existence through the outward expression".

4) Spend time with Your Savior (He is so in love with you)! Get to know HIM. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight and wisdom into His living Word.


Just as the physical "core" muscles will be sore as they are built, so too, will our "core" muscles be sore in a spiritual sense. You may say, "My core is sore" as you press into the things of God. He may reveal things to you that will allow you to grow and be strengthened. There may be sin issues that need to be repented of, time or priority issues that need to be put back into place, forgiveness to be asked or given, healing to be received, changes in what is spoken or attitudes or behaviors exhibited, etc. But, living in relationship with Jesus is worth it all! As Paul addressed Timothy in his first letter, he said, "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." (I Timothy 4:8) Let's live as God's holy people whose inner core is strengthened to support us & make us strong on the inside, so that our outward lives reflect the inner life of Christ.

My prayer for you is this:
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."