coasting and climbing

coasting and climbing
those two words were much on my mind as I walked this morning
up and down the streets of my mother-in-laws' neighborhood 
(my children gifted me with a fitbit, I had to get in my steps,
it is part of my quest to better health and less of me to love)

up slight inclines that winded me before I reached the end of each street
one foot in front of the other 
down parallel inclines that allowed me to catch my breath
I kept thinking 
"it takes a lot less intent and energy to coast than it takes to climb"

coasting may occasionally be necessary,
but there is no way for it to take me to new places
because coasting happens when I am headed downhill
it can be unintentional
if it is left unchecked, it is a wreck waiting to happen as I pick up speed

climbing can be hard, heart pounding, sweat producing work,
climbing sometimes leaves me wondering "why am I doing this"
climbing is always intentional,
climbing gives me an opportunity to look back/over where I have been,
completing a climb leaves me with a sense of well being and accomplishment

when I started walking daily I sought out paths of least resistance
slowly I added distance, then a small hill, and I am getting stronger
I am beginning to seek out inclines that challenge and strengthen me 
without a doubt I am seeing positive physical changes,
but it is also growing me mentally and emotionally 

tonight I am pondering how "coasting/climbing" affect other parts of life:
jobs...
dreams...
hobbies...
relationships...

 "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. 

You are serving the Lord Christ."

Colossians 3:23-24