In sharing my intention to work toward developing a healthier and stronger body, I am often given the advice to work on my core. But what, exactly, is the “core”? I had a general idea of what it was, but I decided to do a little reading.
Here’s one explanation: It refers primarily to “the four muscles of the stomach that wrap like a belt around the midsection [but also] includes the muscles of your lower back, your pelvic floor, and your hips. There are over 15 of these muscles, and they even include the diaphragm, a core breathing muscle!… When you put all these muscles together, they form the ‘core’ of your body and the ‘core’ of your movement patterns. In other words, if you bend down, pick up a weight and lift it overhead, each of these core muscles becomes involved…. If the core muscles are weak, you can’t breathe as deeply, lift as heavily, or move as quickly” (Ben Greenfield).
I guess it’s called the “core” because it is the center which affects how the body functions—depending on the core’s condition.
There is a spiritual lesson here. The condition of your core as a spiritual being will determine the character of your spiritual life. It will affect the kind of decisions and choices that you make in life. It will regulate the priorities that govern your activities and involvements.
On the response of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to the king’s demands (Daniel 3.16-18), Ron Waters comments: “It’s doubtful the trio ever expected to change the culture with their unbending stance; they simply chose to obey their core belief. And, in doing so, they sealed their fate. God’s ways are often costly, but the three were willing. Their obedience wasn’t contingent upon God coming to their rescue. The object of their affection was God alone, not what He might do for them—although He did join them in the fire.” The core of their being was firmly grounded in God. Their devotion was to God, not to the benefits that he promised.
When we as a church declare that we’re all about “making Christ the central focus in people’s lives,” we are affirming that the proper and healthy core for human existence is none other than that which is firmly anchored in Jesus Christ and in having a right relationship with him as Lord of all—being completely devoted to his will and purpose. The proper functioning of our spiritual life will depend on the strength and health of our spiritual core.
Here are crucial questions that we must face: What is the condition of the core of my life? Is Christ at the core?
—Keith Y. Jainga