Movement has always been a passion of mine. I grew up spending most of my time outside, playing sports and oftentimes have a hard time sitting still for more than 30 minutes. Since the age of 15 I knew I wanted to be a physical therapist, and now I get the opportunity to share that passion with others.
In my role as a physical therapist, I interact with numerous individuals who experience physical challenges. Certain individuals might have suffered an ACL injury, preventing them from participating in soccer. Others could include a mother dealing with neck discomfort while carrying her daughter, or a wife dealing with back pain, hindering her once joyful runs alongside her husband. All of these people are no longer able to do something they love. Something that requires movement. In physical therapy, we are often teaching our clients simply how to use movement to heal their body.
People often discuss how important our mental and emotional health are. However, a less frequently discussed topic is our physical well-being and the significance of incorporating exercise into our weekly schedules. Sadly, within the walls of the church, I noticed that discussions about the importance of exercise and physical health are rare. We acknowledge its importance, but the conversation often ends quickly. This makes me wonder, why does this topic receive less attention?
One verse that has stuck with me through the years is from 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.” If God is calling us to honor Him with our bodies, I believe physical activity is a key part of that.
I have been a Physical Therapist for 5 years and counting. Back in 2020, I prayed for a word to guide me through the year, and the word that came to me was “dream.” As I spent more time in prayer, I felt the Lord was calling me to leave my corporate job and start my own cash based physical therapy practice.
My husband and I opened the LLC, announced it publicly on social media in February 2021, and it started as a side business. In July 2022, the Lord graciously opened the next door. Through a friend of a friend, an opportunity opened up for a Physical Therapist to join their team, and it felt like God had perfectly aligned everything out for me. Six months after the offer, I left my corporate job to pursue my dream job.
In the past 18 months, I have seen God open a lot of doors and close a few. I have prayed more for my current and future patients than ever before. I have had to rely on His voice for when to say yes and when to say no to opportunities. It’s easy to say yes to everything out of fear or even to please the people asking, but not every opportunity is one that God is calling you to. Sometimes, He is calling you to rest when the world is saying to hustle. Sometimes, He is calling you to work hard when you would rather be relaxing with others.
I believe God is highlighting that we stop separating Him from our work. We might not recognize His presence unless the job is a traditional ministry role, involves living abroad, or appears to be “more holy.” The enemy would love for you to believe this lie. He would love for you to spend eight hours a day thinking God doesn’t need to be included in your everyday work environment.
I could never have foreseen myself in my current role, and I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t created room to welcome God into my work. We’re fortunate that the Lord desires to involve us in His plans on earth. God longs for you to make disciples and connect with others in your workplace, no matter what that looks like. He yearns for the people around you to truly get to know Him, not a relationship that requires you to just check it off a list. I encourage you to start praying over your job. Pray for your coworkers and your clients. Pray for God to highlight opportunities to connect with those around you on a deeper level.
All it takes is one small step of faith and obedience, then He does the rest!
With gratitude,
Alexis
A L E X I S S H O O P E
Alexis Shoppe is an accomplished orthopedic and pelvic floor physical therapist with ownership of a thriving physical therapy practice located in Houston, Tx. The decision to transition from the corporate landscape and establish an independent venture was prompted by a meaningful experience in 2020, when a year-defining word, “dream,” emerged from prayer. This pivotal moment ignited an inspiring journey. A fun fact about Alexis is that she was a member of an acapella group names the “Acapatellas” during her time at PT school!
Stay connected with Alexis on Instagram under the handle @dr.alexis.shoope.