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30:30 Fitness
I was intrigued with the name: 30:30 Fitness. Two elliptical cross-training Octane Fitness machines were introduced at the YMCA, and they caught my eye right away—sleek, shining and impressive. They seemed to answer my growing boredom with the familiar machines. I didn’t know what “30:30” really meant, but I gave it a shot. Little did I know what I was getting into!
Helpful directions flashed across the screen like a “warm up”. For the first three minutes I thought, “I can handle this!” But then the screen read “prepare to sprint”. Before I had time to think, I was sprinting…but only for 30 seconds. It was a little tough, but I made it. Then the screen read “30 seconds to recover”. (They were incredibly short seconds). Then the sprinting began for 30 more seconds followed by 30 seconds to recover. This went on five times and then I had three minutes to rest. The whole workout followed this pattern, and I suddenly understood the name “30:30”. It was about building endurance through 30 seconds of sprinting and 30 seconds of resting. Although I was exhausted, it was a GREAT workout!
To me, Lent is a lot like sprinting. Although it is 40 days long, it can be a time when we encourage spiritual disciplines for “short periods” in order to build spiritual endurance and a greater awareness of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Activities like fasting, praying while walking a labyrinth, participating in worship, acts of charity, sacrificial giving, and serving, can be great exercises for God to strengthen our spiritual fitness and grow us deeper in our faith.
The most important time to “sprint”, of course, is Holy Week which recalls the last days of our Lord’s life. It’s a week of special events and worship opportunities to experience the significance of Jesus and the cross,
the empty tomb, and the great joy of new life in Him.
Consider these cross-training events as we sprint through Holy Week:
Palm Sunday Celebration (March 16) We’ll experience the joy of Jesus entering Jerusalem with great anticipation of His coming Kingdom.
Maundy Thursday (March 20)
We’ll recall the Last Supper with a fellowship dinner at 6pm followed by a candlelight procession into the Worship Center at 7pm where we will observe foot washing and Jesus’ commandment to “love one another”. The evening concludes with the betrayal of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and the Stripping of the Altar.
Good Friday (March 21) We’ll hear the story of Jesus’ last week through song and dramatic readings by the Grace music ministries as they present: Here Is Love. In addition, the Prayer Labyrinth will be available in the Narthex from noon-5pm for those who want to reflect on the events of the day. (See page 6 for more).
Easter Vigil (March 22) A unique and dramatic service that helps us move from the cross to the empty tomb. The service recalls through music, readings, and media the moments when God dramatically saved His people, providing a great background to celebrate God’s greatest act of salvation–the Resurrection!
Easter Services (March 23) We’ll celebrate the joy and surprise of the empty tomb and begin the journey “Ready, Set, LIVE”!
“30:30” fitness helped me rediscover how sprinting is a great way to increase endurance and physical health, but the results are determined by my overall investment. If I invest a lot of energy and mental discipline, I seem to have better results than when I don’t. I believe that’s true in our Lenten season of cross-training.
Will you sprint with me to Easter? In the remaining weeks of Lent there are great cross-training opportunities that will help us grow a deeper gratitude for the cost Jesus paid for our forgiveness…the extent that Jesus endured as He gave everything for us.
In Him,
Pastor Mark