Getting Ready for the Unknown and Unknowable

One of CrossFit’s creeds is to be prepared for the “unknown and unknowable.”  We don’t know what the next moment, hour, or day holds so we train for what we cannot entirely predict. This holds true for the Navy Seal, college athlete, or soccer mom. CrossFitters use functional movements to prepare for battle, the big game, or even to save the life of a child in danger.  We require intensity and discipline from our bodies and we carefully plan out nutrition and rest for maximum performance.  We evaluate our strengths and weaknesses as athletes and build on the strengths and train to improve the weaknesses.

My strengths and weaknesses as a CrossFitter were revealed at Sectionals and it was obvious to me where my training needs to be focused.  In the same way I can say that my emotional, mental, and spiritual strengths and weaknesses were also revealed to me this week while I have been dealing with the sudden hospitalization of my mom.

While it is essential to train your body for the unknown and unknowable it is not entirely sufficient.  It is also crucial to be prepared mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for whatever life might unexpectedly throw at you.  To train these areas seems to be more nebulous and less concrete, but nevertheless they must be done.

So I’ve amended my “training schedule” to include the following: active listening, self-awareness, discernment, contemplation, journaling, communication skills, spiritual fitness through the disciplines of prayer, study, service, meditation, and giving.   I’ll be training these the rest of my life!

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8