What Are Your Big Rocks? Do They Impact Your Health?
What do “Big Rocks” have to with your health? Most folks have heard the time management analogy of the “Big Rocks”. Watch this demonstration.
What Are You Talking About – Big Rocks and Health?
The analogy, used by Stephen Covey in his book First Things First, argues that to best manage the big things, you need to “put them in the bucket first”, the bucket being your day, your life, whatever. In other words, find that item that’s important, so you can tackle it first. Then the smaller items on your “to-do” list can be managed more appropriately. Sounds better than running around putting out fires or running down the “rabbit hole” of e-mail, just responding to things as they emerge, right?
Life Is Demanding
If you’re like me, you have several “irons” in the fire”. And each one demands attention at one time or another. Some of them come at you in pairs or triplicate. Now, at least one blogger, Renee Fishman writing for My Meadow Report, argues that Covey’s analogy leaves out a crucial detail – Space. True, we do need space. Space to think about what’s important, to plan, rest and so forth. For our purposes, we will assume the “bucket” is your space. You can review Fishman’s article at your leisure.
Someone draws out their “Big Rocks”
What Is Important in Your Life? What Is Your “Big Rock”?
Now, let’s look at this analogy in the context of Health, Wellness and Fitness. When you consider your overall health and wellness, what is your “Big Rock”? Maybe it’s your workout, your weight, your family, you fill in the blank.
What, or better yet, WHO Should Be Your “Big Rock”?
Remember what Jesus said about the cost of discipleship? Matthew 10:37-39 outlines 3 things:
- Loving Christ more than family
- Taking up your cross and following Christ
- Finding your life in this world as a loss, in the light of Christ
Also, in Chapter 6 of Matthew, Jesus points out the importance of not worrying about what might or will happen. Instead, He urges the audience to “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.”
Jesus As The “Big Rock”
Of course, there is more theology behind these passages and one studying the Bible should never take just one or two passages and develop an entire doctrine based on just those passages. However, it seems that Jesus, and in fact, the Bible as a whole, is telling Christians to “Put Jesus First”. “Put God First”. As you consider other passages like Proverbs 3:5-6 or Isaiah 55 or many other verses, encouraging the believer to trust in God before putting their trust in friends, day planners or even exercise.
“Present Your Bodies…” – The Foundation
So. before we head out the door for a run or scan Wodify to see what the Workout of the Day is, let’s consider the race we run. And, more importantly, the “Why” of our race and the “Who” of our race. Zach Wahls, Eagle Scout and current Iowa State Senator wrote about his experiences in Scouting and what those experiences taught him. In the article, Senator Wahls talks about values being choices. Specifically, he says:
Our values are the moral compasses of our lives.
- The most important moments in our lives are usually decisions. The choices we make — and indeed, our ability to choose — are what define who we are and the lives we lead. Our values guide us through those decisions.
Maybe, that’s what Stephen Covey’s “Big Rocks” demonstration shows us about our health and wellness priorities. That, in the life of a Christian athlete (and if you are part of MissionFiT, that’s you!), God should be the Foundation upon which you build your body. Not just your body, but your life. Think about that the next time you walk in the garage or Zoom into class.
