Getting Stronger

Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the LORD’s holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly. Then the LORD will be your delight. I will give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob.

Isaiah 58:13-14

SHANE HAMMAN KNOWS something about bulking up. The Oklahoma native is a two-time Olympian who won nine national weight lifting championships and holds every US record in the 105 kg–plus division. At 5 feet 9 inches and 350 pounds, this strong man of God knows where his power comes from: “I realized early that my strength is a gift from God. I totally dedicated my weight lifting to Him to be used for His glory.”

Shane trained at the US Olympic Training Center, working with the top experts on muscle building. By properly training his body through strenuous exercise, good nutrition, and proper rest, Shane became incredibly strong. He could squat more than 1,000 pounds, bench more than 550, clean and jerk more than 520, and snatch 435. “Just due to the type of training, it developed me into a really good athlete,” Shane says. Try to picture a 350-pound guy pulling a backflip. Shane can do it. Plus, with a thirty-six-inch vertical leap, he can dunk a basketball.

Shane knew his strength came from God and that God required him to rest. God spoke through the prophet Isaiah to remind His people to keep the Sabbath. The Lord wants us to rest and enjoy Him. Without recovery time, you’ll just tear through life and not live the way God intended.

BOTTOM LINE

Life—just like weight training—needs to be done according to a rhythm. Make time to rest and recover with God.

Moment of Strength: Exodus 33:14