By Faith I Work on Behalf of ASEP

Tommy Boone, PhD, MPH, MAM, FASEP, EPC
Professor and Chair
Department of Exercise Physiology
The College of St. Scholastica
Duluth, MN 55811   

Recently, a student asked me if I was worried about ASEP being so small.  I said, “Have you seen a worried bird lately?”  The student looked at me somewhat concerned that I had gone over the edge.  Really, I said:  “Have you seen a bird with a tiff upper beak?”  Again, I said:  “You know, in the same way a worried person shows certain characteristics of being worried – bloodshot eyes, wrinkles, and nervousness.”  Suddenly, the student said “no.”  

There are no worried birds…just birds doing their thing.  Jesus told us we have no reason to be worried.  Yes, I said Jesus and, yes, I understand this is an article published in a electronic professionalism journal about exercise physiology.  No, once again, I am not over the edge.  But, to borrow an idea (actually a title) from a book, Daring to Live on the Edge by Loren Cunningham [1], I am saying that there is no reason to be anxious.  After all, I am a believer in John 3:16.  As a believer, I trust God for all my needs.  

Think about it for a moment.  To trust in God is to live by faith.  His Son, Jesus, wants us to live by faith.  It is as simple as believing that God controls all things.  In fact, as written in the Bible, faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen (Heb. 11:1).  It is my faith that assures me that the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP) will be recognized as the professional organization of exercise physiologists.  Faith is critical to believing that exercise physiologists will have what they need to be recognized as credible healthcare professionals. 

I believe and trust that God knows best.  I believe that my involvement with the ASEP organization is the right thing to do.  It is an act of faith to follow through on what I believe God has promised.  Exercise physiologists need their own professional organization.  This is something I had been sensing for years.  Now, for a little more than a decade, it has provided the professional guidelines and directions for ethical thinking, accreditation, national certification, and standards of practice.  

Regardless of what so many exercise physiologists and others who have an interest in ASEP failing, ASEP is still fully alive and working everyday on behalf of the students of exercise physiology.  That’s faith.  It’s not faith in others to think right or to do the right thing.  It’s faith in the Word of God.  Oh, I can hear what is in the minds of the readers.  Wow…Tommy has finally gone over the edge!  That is the question, isn’t it?  Perhaps, they should read Robert Schuller’s work [2].  He says that all creative ideas come from God. 

Those who listen to God will find themselves doing the impossible.  I have written about this before.  You may not be aware of the book, The Power Within [3] and theJohn3:16 website [4].  Both represent the power of faith.  I trusted that God was leading me do what had not been done before.  It wasn’t my idea, but I knew I had to do something.  It all started with the help of Dr. Robert A. Robergs of the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM.  

I say there is a God, and my faith and actions prove it.  No longer able not to work towards creating a professional organization, I did everything I could to contribute to the professional infrastructure.  In short, I set out to do what was right on behalf of students and exercise physiology.  At no time did I think it was my responsibility not to try unless I knew I was going to succeed.  I gave myself the freedom to make mistakes.  

Living by faith is a precious thing.  It is akin to knowing your calling and putting it into action.  Also, it is intimately connected to the prayer: “Oh Lord, you are part of this.  Please help.”  Cunningham [1] said it best, “If we have surrendered to God and are doing what He has called us to, then He is committed to our success.”       

It seems to me that God has many different ways that He commits to our success (i.e., ASEP).  Our job is to keep open and committed to obeying Him.  That’s why we did what we could do with what we had where we were in 1997, and that is why we continue to do the same.  

That is why I said to the student, “Don’t worry!  We are going to make it.  All we have to do is continue going about doing the work God has lead us to do.  He will take care of our needs.”  Remember that God’s word says, “Do not worry about tomorrow….Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matt. 6:34).  

Living by faith requires confidence in those who say they will do what they agreed to do.  It is fairly easily to say, “Sure, I will do this or that to find that they disappeared a short time later never to be heard from again.”  But, the real question is this: “Are you willing to put your name, who you are, and everything that is you on the table before all your colleagues so that they will know what you stand for?” 

This is what it comes down to, in working on behalf of ASEP, students, and exercise physiology.  It is faith in God, that He will help you stay the course and never give up.  Are you ready to take that challenge?  Are you willing to trust Him to see that the professionalization of exercise physiology [5] is fully realized?  It is never easy to take that step, but when you do your life will never be the same.  I am praying that you will take that the first step.

 

Reference

1. Cunningham, L. (1991). Daring to Live on the Edge. Seattle, WA: YWAM Publishing.
2. Schuller, R. (1986). Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do! Amaxon.com
   
3. Boone, T. (2000). The Power Within. AuthorHouse.
4. theJohn316.org/ (2009). [Online]. http://tboone2.wordpress.com/
   
5. Boone, T. (2009). The Professionalization of Exercise Physiology. Lewiston, NY: The Edwin Mellen Press.