The place? A group fitness class at a local studio. The time? A Monday morning. The song? Rachel Platten’s, “Fight Song.”

We were moving between a 30 minute set of cardio into a 30 minute set of flexible strength training, and to break up the two we were called to the floor for a 3:30 plank. The plank has never been my favorite exercise, and in this season it was a particular challenge because of a recent injury. More so than being unable to plank to due weakness, I was unwilling to plank due to fear. Will I tear my chest muscle again? But in a group class where everyone participates, I found my spot and hit the floor; wary, exhausted, and dripping sweat. Fight Song, and our countdown, began.

The thing about a plank is… a plank costs loads of energy. Every muscle group in your body is engaged. Your mind and heart and lungs are working overtime to keep your muscles lit, your body up; core engaged, hips low, chest lifted, spine neutral, eyes front. So much work! But you’re going absolutely nowhere.

Maybe this sounds like life sometimes. I was in this place during that season, where the cost of the life I’d found myself living was more than I could afford. My life was like a plank – 100% output required and I was not going anywhere. I was hurting, exhausted, fearful, anxious, and alone. Something had to change. 

My Savior didn’t die the kind of death He died only to rise again and watch me live a life of habitual defeat. What has always amazed me about the good news gospel message of Jesus Christ is that it is both once, for all time, and ongoing, for everything, always. Jesus died to set me free from an eternity apart from Him just as much as He died to set me free from a fractured, ill-fitting, exhaustingly paltry existence here on earth right now. And, if you’re like me, you need this reminder regularly because it’s really easy and normal to find yourself living someone else’s idea of God’s life for you. It takes faith to follow the subtle beckoning of the Spirit, it always has, ever since the Creator God first spoke to Abram and called him to leave what he knew and go. 

I don’t think I made it half-way through the plank before tears fell uncontrollably, blending in with sweat as the drops hit the floor. The woman next to me began to cheer me on, perhaps guessing my struggle wasn’t just physical. I had known for years I would move on from where I was, but instead of taking the leap faith required back when I first sensed the call to go, I had chosen the known over and over again. No more. My fight song became the pulse of my plank paired with the lyrics of the music in a room filled with friends who bolstered my courage as the memory of pain faded, and I knew – finally – I was ready to go.

This is my fight song

Take back my life song

Prove I’m alright song

My power’s turned on

Starting right now I’ll be strong

I’ll play my fight song

And I don’t really care if nobody else believes

‘Cause I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me

Maybe it’s cliche. It’s a breakup song, right? How can you have a spiritual breakthrough doing planks in a secular studio to a secular song? Friends, God is not limited by secular, I promise you. When it’s time for a breakthrough, He’ll use whatever it takes. I wish I could say I followed His lead the first time, but I didn’t, I don’t, and neither do you, and that’s what makes grace so amazing. He goes after us, always. When we finally say “yes,” God is already ahead with a perfect path marked out and loaded with blessings. He follows behind as we take each half-blind step of faith-marked obedience, goodness, and mercy overflowing. He’s that good.

What do you need to break up with today? For me, it was someone else’s idea of God’s plan for my life coupled with a fear of the unknown. I’m standing here on the other side of that breakthrough reminding you with great joy to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. He will not leave you. You can trust Him.

Are you ready to go?

In the comments below, share about your fitness class breakthrough. When has a song or exercise moved something heavy out of you? 

Hilary is a graduate of Platoon 15 who loves and lives for God and others in beautiful West Michigan. She is passionate about reaching people in need with lasting help and hope through the good news gospel message of Jesus Christ. Email her at hilliebb@gmail.com.

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