You Will Bend But Not Break – The Importance of Flexibility

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 FLEXIBILITY. (To catch up on our devotionals – click here.)

The Fruit of Flexibility:
Let’s play a game. Drop whatever you’re doing right now, stand up and touch your toes (and try to do this without bending your knees). If that’s too easy, try to bring your hands to the ground. Now stand up straight and raise both of your arms completely overhead. Keep your arms straight and overhead as you try to sit down into a deep squat. Were you able to keep your arms overhead? Did you have any other issues with either of these activities? Both of these tests measure your level of flexibility and mobility in your joints and muscles.

The ability of a joint and/or muscle to effectively move through its full range of motion is what determines your level of flexibility. Your full range of motion is essentially your body’s potential to move fully without pain or restriction in the way it was designed to by God. While we now understand the importance of endurance, stamina and strength – flexibility is often overlooked.

Flexibility ensures your body will bend but not break. True flexibility is not just the ability to be limber and loose but to maintain the ability to create tension and power. To better understand this, think about a rubber band which has the ability to be both loose and pliable but when stretched can create a lot of tension and resistance. This is the way we want our bodies to work when it comes to flexibility.

The Character Trait of Flexibility
In life, we learn the trait of flexibility when can be easily coached, corrected and even adapt to our surroundings but still maintain a sense of control. Often are lives are marked by unexpected twists and turns but the ability to continue to move forward and keep going is a fruit of spiritual flexibility.

Getting Ready To Be Spiritually Flexible – Think About The Following
“Flexibility is being open to the plans and ideas of others, and willing to be instructed and challenged to change for the better. You have to be willing to bend; if not, your relationship will break.” – Dr. Richard J. Krejcir

• How can you show better flexibility in your relationships (friends, family and work relationships)?
• What blocks flexibility from showing in your life?

Staying Flexible In Life
Read the following verses. What do they teach us about being flexible when it comes to following God and sharing the gospel with others?

• Drop everything and follow Christ – Mark 1:16-18
• Be flexible with your freedom in Christ in order to save a brother or sister – 1 Corinthians 9:19 -23

HOW CAN I APPLY THIS TODAY? 

GET READY: Recognize what the areas of “tension” in your life need more flexibility.

STAY READY: A rubber band is only powerful when stretched. God is moving us thru a full range of motion so that when released, we can create a greater impact for the Kingdom of God.