However You Spin It
Image of bike used for spin - Photo by Marlon Silva on Unsplash
I started taking spin class about 18 months ago. At first, I hated it. Periodt. To begin, quite transparently sharing, my hind parts would ache. A friend who is more seasoned inquired as to whether I was wearing padded shorts/pants. I didn’t know that such a thing existed. So, I purchased a pair and what a difference it made. My ability to engage the activity longer was made available to me. Secondly, my feet began to numb during the ride. My instructor told me that it was time for me to clip in. In other words, I needed the proper footwear that allowed me to lock my feet to the pedals, thereby allowing me to ride longer and with more power. As I continued in building my endurance and lesson my “hate” with spin, I became fascinated with one instruction. Thirdly, as we navigated typically the last stretch of work during the class, the instructor would call out “Go Aero!” This directive encouraged us to move our hands on the bars inside and engage our arms in a 90-degree angle as you lean forward, core embraced and move as quickly as available. This position directive usually lasts somewhere between 20-30 seconds and is designed to invite one to perform at their fastest, incorporating distance, power and speed. And this my friends is the line of demarcation that allowed me to pivot from hate to less hate. LOL! I wouldn’t say that I love it, but I have embraced the aspects that make the ride bearable. Not only that, out of all the exercises I perform, spin is the one that gets my heart to significant levels, challenges my strength and purposefully requires me to breathe in order to persist.
God be praised for allowing us to cross over into 2025! We have no utter idea of what it will entail. To be sure, there will be some aspects that we will hate; and some aspects that we will hate less. Nevertheless, whatever way we choose to “spin” it will make the difference in the end. How might we prepare for the long haul with whatever accessories that may be beneficial to us? Ephesians 6:10-17 affirms, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” What is the armor required for you to go aero? Is it the Word? Is it prayer? Is it letting go? Is it leaning in? It is stability? Is it joy? It is managing lament? It is therapy? It is a gym membership? Is it walking? Is it connecting? Whatever it may be, do that. And if you don’t know, simply seek. When we know, we are able to go the distance, knowing that we are operating in the power of the Mighty One to get done what needs to get done.
I rarely jump out of bed at 4:55am with enthusiasm to experience my body being challenged beyond what I feel it’s able to do. Yet, when it’s over, I am grateful and I feel a sense of accomplishment for the sustainability. We are only a few short days in 2025, what might you make your mind up about right now to celebrate the result by December? We can do hard things. We can because Christ did. We are the recipients and we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!
My new spin instructor for spin, Juli (Miss you Rodney!) regularly teases me about rolling my eyes when she challenges us during class. I don’t even realize when I do; probably because I’ve been rolling my eyes since 1975. But guess what? It doesn’t make a difference to her. She is committed to what we are committed to…and so is God. Go Aero and witness the transformation in your life and those you touch. Will it be hard? Likely. But I’m built for this. You’re built for this. It’s all in how you spin it. Happy New Year! Happy New You!