Worship Through Physical Activity And Exercise

We are called to love God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths (Mark 12:30). Therefore, understanding how we can use the unique psychological and physical qualities God gave us can help us fulfill what we are called to do.

In regards to the cognition of our psychology, let's consider two sides of the same coin according to Myers Briggs Typology:

Ni/Introverted Intuition - Broad & plethoric perception of internal world.

Se/Extraverted Sensing - Specific and concrete perception of external world.

Ni enables us to draw inferences, make predictions, and commit to plans. Therefore, being in this cognitive mode helps us be insightful to notice hidden meanings and commit to longterm goals God calls us to fulfill.

On the other hand, Se enables us to be attuned to the present moment, experience the here and now, and take action. Exercising and engaging in physical activity is an activity that requires being in this cognitive mode.

However, balancing these two cognitive modes is what helps us optimally glorify God. When we engage in both Ni and Se, we can engage in an activity while also being mindful about what the activity means for our long-term relationship with God.

The INTJ and INFJ personality types predominantly operate on the Ni-Se axis. Let's hear about how exercising has helped them connect with Christ:

Vintage Swing Dancing is my favorite exercise. The life verse that the Lord gave me is "You've turned my mourning into joyful dancing, pulled off my rags and clothed me with gladness..." ps 30:11. He gave me dancing as a hobby after my dad passed away when I was 16 and it helped me find joy in a difficult time, and ever since then. As an INTJ, I like that it's structured socialization that allows a healthy (non- sexual) physical touch, and an opportunity for conversation, community, and creativity. It has also allowed me to understand dancing as an allegory for my relationship with God. He invited me. I accepted. He leads, and I follow. We create something beautiful together. There is so much joy in dancing in relationship with our heavenly father.

-INTJ

Here, the Ni cognition enabled this person to be aware of what dancing means for her relationship with Christ. Consequently, she is aware of her purpose for using Se to engage in dancing.

I study and assist teaching GoJu Ryu. As an intj I enjoy learning how everything fits together into a system yet it helps me step out of my introversion and improve the way I interact with others. The concept or fighting/self defense is more about self discipline, respect, boundaries, focus, situational awareness, confidence, etc. It helps develop a balanced and efficient approach to everything in life.

-INTJ

This is another example of how Ni helps one infer the connection between an activity (GoJu Ryu) and the principles (self-discipline, respect, focus, etc.) God calls us to learn (Galatians 5:22-23).

It reminds me that I have/am a body. And that the body is essential to who we are. And so Christ took a body and became incarnate.

-INTJ

Since God gave us a body and calls us to honor Him with it (1 Corinthians 6:20), engaging in exercises brings glory to God through how we take care of the things that are essential to who He made us to be.

I used to run a lot and I found so many of life's parallels while running. I spent a lot of time mediating and praying during those runs. I had a blog where I was able to relate my running to my journey with God. These days though I lift weights and those spiritual connections are different than when I was running.

-INFJ

Overall, using Ni to see the life parallels and spiritual connections to physical exercises enables us to be mindful of how the activities we do in Se-mode can facilitate us to glorify God with such activities.

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