Coordination In Body And Spirit

According to CrossFit, true fitness is made up of 10 physical skills. They are Cardiovascular and Respiratory Endurance, Stamina, Strength, Flexibility, Power, Speed, Coordination, Agility, Balance, and Accuracy. Not surprisingly these skills show up in our daily lives and need to be sharpened as well. Today we discuss COORDINATION(To catch up on our devotionals – click here.)

Coordination In Body And Spirit
Have you ever tried to tap your head and rub you stomach at the same time? If not, try it here. Not as easy at it looks right? This kind of skill requires not only concentration but coordination.

Essentially coordination is the ability to use our senses and body parts to perform tasks smoothly, efficiently, and accurately.

Consider the hang power clean, which we learned recently in class. We broke down the movement into several steps and then tried to put it all together at the end. As most of us probably learned, it’s a movement that requires a lot of concentration, coordination and patience. Unlike the skills we’ve covered so far (endurance, stamina, strength and flexibility), coordination is developed thru practice. But once this is developed, these skills become like second nature to us.

Think about the all things that require coordination that you no longer have to think about. For example, tying your shoes, balancing on one foot or driving home from work each day. These tasks have become so automatic for us, that they take place without interruption or thought. Ultimately, this allows us to learn more and more skills throughout our lives without becoming overwhelmed.

What about coordination in the spirit? 

1 Corinthians 12:27 – Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

To be coordinated in the spirit is to recognize what your purpose is and how it serves in the church. It also entails learning how to work with (and for) your brothers and sisters in Christ. Consider the following verses:

  • 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7 – There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 

We’ve been spending a lot of time discussing “purpose driven fitness” and in doing so, we’ve come to define all our reasons for wanting to staying fit and healthy (including for the sake of our families and friends).

But what about staying fit and healthy for the body of Christ? 1 Corinthians 12:27 tells us that we each have an integral part to play in life and that together we work as one body. This should give us yet another vital reason to take care of our health.

Meditate on Ephesians 4:11-16
  • What happens when each “part” in the body of Christ is working and coordinating properly?
Put Words Into Action:
  • What skills, passions or talents of yours can be used for the body of Christ?
  • How can the skill of being spiritually coordinated become like second nature to us? (Hint: Read 1 Corinthians 12:31, 13: 1-13)

You have a purpose and a role to play in the family of God. When we are all “spiritually coordinated”, we help each other grow in LOVE and become more like Christ.