A New Title.

Recently I applied to be a SPA. This stands for "Sweat Pink Ambassador." I just found out that I was accepted and I am very excited! Sweat Pink is the motto for Fit Approach which is an online community of people (mostly women) who are girly,  love to exercise, and get sweaty....I thought to myself, "this is right up my alley".  Their mission statement reads as follows: " We believe that kicking tail is best done in pretty shoes. We’ve learned that real women sweat, and sweat hard. We know that assertiveness, strength, and ambition are the ultimate feminine qualities. We concede that sometimes it takes hours to get ready, but we’re also no strangers to just rolling out of bed and going. We’re convinced that we run faster in pink shoelaces. We believe in pushing ourselves, and we believe in giving ourselves a break, too. We’re all about the rush of endorphins and the thrill of the challenge. We’re all for looking great and feeling even better. We’re committed to finding our best fit, and making it stick. " This is so me.

So what is an ambassador? By definition : an authorized messenger or representative. Sent by one sovereign as its resident representative. To merit this title with Fit Approach, I had to submit an application that described my lifestyle of fitness; I could not merely assign myself the title, but rather by their authority be given it and deemed worthy to accept it. I explained to them in words that I live to practice what I preach as a physician who focuses on the health of women. I exercise daily. I adhere to a diet of healthy intake. And balance all of it with moderation. I think this is the part of their philosophy that resonated with me. I've seen people that can even turn exercise and diet into religion by placing it above God in importance. I don't want that to be me.

The other part of this that resonated is the fact that my fitness is just one element of an ambassadorship I already participate in. Anyone who calls them self a Christian, has essentially assumed the role of an ambassador. In this case you are an ambassador for Christ. Inherent in this is the understanding that as a Christian we are living in a foreign land that's not our home. We were sent here to act as an emissary representing the interests of the one who sent us ...God.  By definition, it is possible for someone to assume a title without the proper authority behind it.  In other words, there are plenty of people who say they are representing Christ or define themselves as "Christian" but may not be living life consistent with that responsibility.  How do we recognize whether someone has the proper authority? The scripture tells us.

"And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2nd Corinth 5:18-20. 

 People acting under God's authority proclaim Christ; not themselves and they don't contradict scripture. People who are truly ambassadors of Christ don't live lifestyles that contradict his Word or his message.   By God's authority we have been sent to spread the wonderful news of the Gospel. God created each of us with a unique calling, gifting or talent that is designed to help you with this purpose. SPA ambassadors don't all participate in the same sport. Some do yoga, some cross-fit, some run and some love Zumba. Whatever their passion is, they use it to further the lifestyle of healthy living and promote this message to others. It's the same for Christians. Whatever our calling is from God, we should use it to translate the message of his kingdom. The Gospel of Christ is also a message of health, healing, and community. We should not just say it; we should live it. As a physician, if I spoke to my patients about exercise, weight management and healthy living, but was completely out of shape myself, that would completely negate my medical soundness. Finally, at  this point in my life I get that.  The same is true for Christians. Our lifestyle speaks louder than our words; as an ambassador for Christ, we need to be Christ not just talk about him.  Further, I believe one should approach it with gusto and make sure that we take a 'fit approach' to it. Scripture tells us we need to be fit for our calling. "So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen." 2nd Peter 1:10  Plainly put, this means show why you have been chosen as an ambassador. 

That is my goal whether it is living in this physical body that I have or fulfilling my spiritual calling. To be FIT for the calling God has placed upon me and to represent him to the best of my ability. Sometimes I might fall down in this task, but I will get back up, dust off my pink laces, and keep running my race. It's what I'm called to do.