All through my movement journey—running, yoga, lifting, even HIIT—there’s been this repeated emphasis on “engaging the core.” Every instructor says it. Every cue points back to it. And for a long time, I just didn’t get it. I just ignored it, since I didn’t understand how to actually do it with normal movements.

Somewhere early on (probably on a run—it’s always on a run 😄), I heard this little nudge from Holy Spirit: Your faith is like your core. I laughed a little. But it stuck.

It’s taken time, but now I understand that your core muscles don’t just sit there looking toned. They’re stabilizers. Support beams. They hold everything else together—your spine, your alignment, your movement. They make you more fluid, more protected, less strained. They let you do hard things with a surprising steadiness.

They’re called “the core” for a reason.

And maybe that’s how faith works too.

A few weeks ago, I took Bessie up to the Parkway. We found this tucked-away pull-off near the river, wild with rhododendrons and waterfall sound. I couldn’t help myself—I got in. The water was cold and the stones were long ridges, really hard for balancing. Just standing was fine, but picking up one foot, balancing, finding the next place to land? I panicked a little.

Then I remembered. I engaged my core—on purpose this time. Lifted my leg from the center. And somehow, the rest of my body stayed grounded and still. It felt like magic.

It also felt like faith.

So now I wonder—maybe that’s what we do in the wobbly, uncertain moments. We pause. We remember the strength that’s been built at the center. That strength is faith—faith planted and grown in the secret place with Yahweh. And when I remember to engage it (partnering with Spirit), I find just enough steadiness, just enough resilience, to carry forward.