The Good Fight

My brother is known for blaring loud, upbeat music, while he works out. He often opts against headphones because...I actually don't know why. 

Maybe he gets tangled in the cord.

Anyhow, he plays this music that I have no idea what genre to place in. It's a combination of screaming, shrieking  and talent. If I knew any of the artists, I'd give you a few names.

He says it, "amps him up." You know, gets the blood pumping, heart racing - induces motivation. 

I've always found this incredibly odd but, upon further research, it appears I'M the odd one. Surprise! =P
I prefer sweet music when I work out. Music like the Civil Wars, The Freelance Whales, or The Phantom of the Opera [I love musicals. I have no shame]. I guess I find it soothing. Maybe it's a difference in personalities - for me, getting "amped up" takes an incredible amount of emotional energy. Music isn't going to cut it. And on top of that, if I'm going to get all emotional, I certainly won't have a good work out! Emotions are distracting things, after all.

But my brother, loves adrenaline. He loves to feel motivated and stirred to move. I think he loves that rush, and the endorphins don't suck either.

All of that to say, that recently I've been listening to Gungor when I work out. They are so wonderful, I think everyone should love them. 

I was running on the track behind my house this evening and in the midst of the pretty dusk sky and the less pretty dusky bugs flying into my face, I was struck anew by a line of a song that I've heard many times.

"And at my final breath
I hope that I can say
I’ve fought the good fight of faith"

THAT is what resonates with my heart. That at the end of my mortal life, my legacy is that I have fought the good fight of faith. I'm currently putting that into practice as I gear up to enter a Bachelor's program within the next year, and then a Master's soon after that. I don't know where I am headed, and the idea of leaving everything and everyone I am familiar with scares the living daylights outta me. But I am determined. I want to hear and obey.  The song continues like this:

"I pray your glory shines
through this doubting heart of mine
so my world would know that You

You are my strength
You and You alone
You and You alone
Keep bringing me back home"

I always feel very humbled when I hear that small whisper, "Darling, it is not about you." I often get swept up in how I feel or what I think about my plans or situations I'm in, and forget that my life is not mine. That my desire and my purpose is to live to let God's glory shine through my heart. But God is so, SO good. Seriously, He's  my favorite =) He is ever gentle and ever wise. He reminds me with tenderness how my heart ought to behave, and he never allows me to feel unloved. 

What an awesome God.