This weekend my oldest son graduates from the University of Alabama School of Law.  We are very proud of him and his achievements.  As I was thinking of him today, I was reminded of the very first Bible verse that he ever learned.  It was the last part of John 15:5.  I can still see his little preschool face, usually framed by a cowboy hat that at that age he wouldn’t take off, smiling brightly as he quoted, “without Jesus, I can do nothing”.  He would say the first part in a normal tone at a normal speech rate and then drag out the end with such emphasis “I  —  can —  do — nothing”.  I think even then, at this early age, he was preparing to argue in court.  Even as a preschooler he knew the most important part of that verse was that ‘nothing’ could be done without Jesus.  How true!

If you look at the whole verse… “I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing,” you will notice that Jesus is the key to our accomplishment in His will.  He is our vine.  He is our nourishment.  He is our connection.  He is our power source.  Are you connected today?  Is your branch connected to the vine?  Is all the branches of your life connected to the vine or have you pulled off a few to take care of yourself?  I think so many times we allow our fitness and diet branch to be disconnected.  I’m not sure why.  Maybe we think we can handle it on our own or maybe we are afraid that it is all vanity and we shouldn’t bother God with such things or maybe we feel that it is not important enough to interest God.  Perhaps it is shame for we would have to admit to Him our failures of caring for His temple that He has provided for us.  Whatever the reason for the disconnect, I encourage you to graft it back into the main line of the vine.  Jesus cares about all aspects of our life.  He cares about our health, our body image, our self worth and our witness.  He doesn’t want us to feel defeated and down trodden.  He wants us to be strong and fit for His service.  He wants us to live in victory.

Look around, look deep inside, find your power cord, follow it to the end.  Is it plugged in to the power source – not just any power source, but the One that has the power to create our world with a word, work miracles and overcome death and the grave?  If not, why not spend some time today and everyday connecting to the vine?  Couldn’t you use some power in your life?
Challenge Update
As of Thursday, May 3rd, we have knocked out 648.31 miles or classes out of the 1134.9 that we have pledged!!!

• 40canbefit – goal 13 classes – 9 complete – 4 to go
• 40canbefit – goal 40 miles – 25.8 complete – 14.2 to go
• bnwhite – goal 13 classes – 6 complete – 7 to go
• EllieElliptic – goal 75 miles elliltical – 32 complete – 43 to go
• F³ – FabulouslyFitFifty – goal 80 miles – 54.2 complete – 25.8 to go
• F³ – FabulouslyFitFifty – goal 100 miles bike – 41.65 complete – 58.35 to go
• Fit@50 – goal 20 classes – 12 complete – 8 to go
• Fit@50 – goal 26.2 miles – 7 complete 19.2 to go
• FollowMeFit – goal 13 classes – 7 complete – 6 to go
• FollowMefit – goal 60 miles – 52 complete – 8 to go
• GetFitZumbaChick – goal 22.5 classes – 18 complete – 4.5 to go
• GettinFit – goal 22.5 classes – 12 complete – 10.5 to go
• GettinFit – goal 26.2 miles – 5 complete – 21.2 to go
• GrannywithSole – goal 26.2 miles – 10.5 complete – 15.7 to go
• HealthyMommy – goal 26.2 miles – 6.5 complete – 19.7 to go
• IgotThis – goal 26.2 miles – 9 complete – 17.2 to go
• JaneFunda – goal 40 miles – 12 complete – 28 to go
• KellyKick’nBelly – goal 80 miles – 108.46 complete – 28.46 over goal!!
• Kellykick’nBelly – goal 110 elliptical miles – 57.8 complete – 52.2 to go
• Mcorcione – goal 50 elliptical miles – 1 complete – 49 to go
• MilestoSmiles – goal 26.2 miles – 11 complete – 15.2 to go
• MommyOnMission – goal 30 miles – 19 complete – 11 to go
• OnMyWay – goal 26.2 miles – 9 complete – 17.2 to go
• Rochedavis – goal 80 miles – 62.4 complete – 17.6 to go
• RunStrong – goal 80 miles – 45 complete – 35 to go
• ThatGirl – goal 22.5 classes – 15 complete – 7.5 to go