The Right Position
First of all, according to my research, flexibility comes from several factors (joints, ligaments, tendons and muscle) and some factors should not be stretched. Tendons can be damaged permanently being stretched just four percent beyond their length while muscle can stretch up to one-and-a-half times it's own length. The focus in stretching is on the muscle itself. Therefore it's important to be aware of how your body is moving and what position you are in.
Proberbs 3:5-6 tells us the right position, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not upon your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path." Trusting in God is our muscle. I can't change that my ligaments are limited. It only hurts me tostretch the moral God-factors that can never be changed.
Hey, I get it...tell this little girl (yes, I'm talking about me) that she can't and she has a notion to prove you wrong. Did that counselor really say I had no chance to go to a 4 year college? That's not what my Pepperdine degree says! Still, no matter what my inner drive is I will never become flexible if I am stretching in my own understanding. He made us with certain gifts and talents...stretching them according to His Will results in maximum flexibility. As we get into position to stretch we should be asking ourselves, "Do I feel the sanctification stretch of a calf muscle or am I instead leaning on my own understanding which puts pressure on my knee joint?"
The Right Mindset
Secondly, stretching takes time. Over stretching means tissue damage. That is not very appealing for this get-it-done-now girl. I want to do that kick now. Be that perfect God glorifying leader now, make that impact for His kingdom now. Have full understanding now, be flexible with my situation and with those around me now!
"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them- every day begin the task anew." ~ Francis de Sales
I'm thinking Francis de Sales must have come face to face with someone just like me! Only God knows when I'm ready. Every day begin the task anew, then I'll become ready. It takes diligence for a long time... small steps in a new direction rather than gigantic steps done the wrong way.
When this here gal (I'm talking about me again) lost the use of her legs after experiencing a pelvic split, she found that pushing too hard caused an inflammatory response that made her recovery longer. Nikos Apostolopoulos, director of the Microstretching Clinic in Vancouver explains why this is so. "Any time you cause pain, you actually cause tissue damage," he says. "You don't want to generate any form of pain and discomfort when you are trying to become more mobile and increase your flexibility." A gentle stretch that lets the muscles release and grow longer is the way to go.
God uses time to work out everything that needs to be worked out so that our full flexible potential is realized.
The Right Reaction
Finally, stretching in the right way with the right timing will result in a lengthening reaction. While I work on my Karate side kick it's essential to remember that it's not enough to be strong, muscle flexibility determines how high I can kick while my toes are still pointed downward. Right now I can kick pretty high with my toes pointed in the wrong direction, but the effects of the side kick is zero to none if my heel can't make contact. I want a muscle lengthening reaction so that my toes point downwards while side kicking with my heel. Holding a stretch for a prolonged period of time allows this lengthening reaction to occur, helping the stretched muscles to relax. When I am flexible enough and my muscle memory kicks in my toes will automatically do exactly what they are supposed to do.
God made it clear to the Israelites that it is His Will to stretch for length, "Enlarge the place of your tent, Stretch your tent curtains wide, Do not hold back; Lengthen your cords, Strengthen your stakes." Isaiah 54:2
In the same way I want a spiritual lengthening reaction. My effectiveness for God's kingdom means nothing if my efforts are not pointing up. When I stick with the stretching program God will expand my territory, He will bring to mind His Word hidden in my heart and my efforts will automatically point up. If I kick before I diligently "stretch my curtains wide" I am likely to get hurt while missing the target.
For most of my life I have wanted to be flexible but avoided being stretched in the areas that needed to be stretched. Jumping up and speaking out of turn like Jacky did, thinking I don't have to stretch first, makes a mockery out of me. If I jump up like that, kicking out my own opinions and agendas in God's name then I am the fool and I'm hurting the purity of God's ministry through me. Wanting to be flexible means being willing to get down on the ground and stretching out in between classes. Not just right before class but a little bit every single day. I want to make that Karate kick more than anything, no more avoiding being stretched out.
Slide-up and KICK! Wonder how I made that kick? It's not me, it's God working in and through me. I'm going to keep stretching because I wonder, how much territory can be reached and how much range am I able to have while my efforts are pointing up?
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