Sometimes appointments, introductions, and gym training sessions are divinely scheduled. When my husband and I joined the gym with the silver set membership, a trainer gave each of us an initial assessment. I enjoyed the gym overview and felt comfortable with the experienced trainer, Max. We agreed to schedule four paid sessions to learn about proper equipment usage, as well as develop targeted workouts.
The front desk staffer (see Part 2 below) pulled up the trainers’ schedules and informed us that Max was not available but suggested Andrea, also an experienced trainer but new to the gym. “Great,” I thought, “bait and switch – this will be crummy.” I shared my disappointment with a friend at the gym, but when she heard that we got Andrea, a huge smile broke across her face. Our friend assured us that Andrea was not only a qualified instructor and a nice gal to work with, but she knew the Lord and had a radiant faith.
Our friend was right. Andrea was a knowledgeable trainer who followed Jesus and a lovely person to work with. She taught us exercises suited to our needs, and we enjoyed getting to know her. About the third session in, Andrea said she had something she wanted to share with us. Her husband had been experiencing back pain for several months. He had tried various medical and exercise options, but he worsened to the point of being taken to the Emergency Room, being admitted to the hospital and finding out he had serious cancer – it was just days before Thanksgiving. She asked for prayer.
My husband and I finished our paid sessions with Andrea and got updates on her husband Greg. Diagnoses and treatments took over their lives and it was rough with their jobs and teenagers at home and being so new to the area. In a twist that seems unlikely yet clearly divine, my husband started driving Greg to some of his cancer treatments. We have had appointments and experience with the same facility, so it was easy to say yes to their need. To me it was an embodiment of the Scripture which says that because of our troubles, “we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1 v 4)
The transport trips lasted only briefly due to Christmas travel and then a similar caretaking situation for my father-in-law. We still see Andrea at the gym; Greg continues to face medical challenges. Their faith in Jesus is intact, and we are thankful to God for His Divine introduction at Coastal Fitness through our silver set gym program! AMEN
Part 3
The sport of boxing has emerged as a good form of exercise, even for the silver set. While visiting my mother in June, I chatted over breakfast with a couple who are fellow residents. They told me they were headed to a group boxing class specially designed tor folks with Parkinsons. I agreed that the punching and quick footwork would be good for the mind and body, but they clarified that this boxing is done sitting in a chair! The participants ‘fight’ a volunteer opponent but the sport is obviously modified. Nevertheless, the gentleman was pumped up by his opportunity to box.
Another girlfriend of mine takes a kickboxing class at our gym. She says kickboxing is a rigorous class, leaving her huffing and feeling the stretch and pumps afterward! I think I’ll skip that class and stick to the easy elliptical for now. How surprising to me that Rocky’s famed sport worked its way to fighting the effects of aging!
The phrase “Your Arm’s Too Short to Box with God” wanders in my mind. It is not from Scripture: it is the name of a 70’s Broadway musical based on the Gospel of Matthew. There is however a Biblical reference to the reach of God’s arm. Isaiah 59 v 1 says, “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save.” The statement seems inquisitive, as if someone is having doubts and wondering if God can come through for him. The Isaiah passage then unfolds a list of numerous grievous wrongs happening at the time. Although the verse promises that God’s arm is never too short or too weak to knock the breath out of any obstacle we face (“nor His ear too dull to hear”), He may choose not to engage when He has been disregarded, or His ways disobeyed.
The other day, I stopped by our gym to suspend our membership. We have been out of town frequently and we have had a lot going on when home. Rather than lose our ‘senior’ gym privileges, I put our membership on hold with hopes of getting back to workouts next month. God is in control. Gloves on, He’s in the ring for me!
Here’s a similar song of encouragement I heard at church a couple of weeks ago. The Lord Will Provide
Part 2
In part 1 of Gym Wonderings, I shared my observations as a new gym member, part of the silver set who exercise against aging. I noted with amusement the people-types at the gym. The physically fit gym regulars are known as gym rats. I try to get to the gym often, so I do not lose my membership, but my level of working out does not fall into the gym rat category.
I have noticed a gym employee who also does not fit the usual gym rat stereotype. She wears loose t-shirts and jogging pants rather than spandex athletic wear. Her body type is not the muscular, toned variety of most of the staff, but she is cheerful and confident in the uber fitness environment where she works. I admire her courage, her confidence to be who she is, though she stands out from her lean and lithe coworkers. I will add here that I understand there are many body types; not every figure is built to be lanky and trim. In fact, I’m sure she exercises regularly and has a healthy heart rate.
Honestly, not everyone at the gym should be in good body shape. Exercisers like me are there working out to become more fit. Our muscles need strengthening, we need to build stamina, and we want to firm up flab. We go to the gym as we are … in our not-so-haute workout attire!
There’s a spiritual parallel here. Many people think they will return to God once they clean up their act. They feel they must do better before they exercise any spiritual muscle. But like going to the gym, you don’t get spiritually fit first. Nothing we do fixes us spiritually. Instead, the Bible tells us to release ourselves to God, then the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ will do its transforming work. “Wash me [God], and I shall be whiter than snow,” declared David the Psalmist (Psalm 51 v 7). And Jesus said, “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5 v 32) Just like you can’t put on a trendy Under Armour outfit and call yourself fit, you can’t put on a Christian face and think you are saved. God’s power works in us from the inside out. Take courage, as the front desk gal at the gym does, and show up at a good workout place (a personal Bible study, or a church community group, or a worship service at a Bible believing church would be good starters for you). I would love to hear your story and how things are going!
Part 1
Last fall, my husband and I joined a local gym. Thanks to an advantage of our health insurance, we, the Silver Set, get free membership! It’s a great deal and we are blessed to have a very nice facility close to our home.
This is a new experience for me. I was not a high school athlete, so I did not work out in a gym, except for the required P.E. classes. In my adult life, I’ve taken various exercise classes, but it is a first for me to frequent the gym for personal workouts.
A few things immediately stood out to me. I noticed the types of folks at the gym and the types of workout outfits they wear. Many gym goers are younger than me, with buff bodies, seemingly very fit. They flaunt well-defined muscles in spandex-tight workout clothes. I now recognize gym regulars, the body builders, and the staff trainers. While that crowd is miles ahead of me in fitness, I’ve found them to be friendly and respectful.
I’ve noticed another set of gym types. They are older and less fit. They work out in outfits from their drawer: maybe stretchy pants and a t-shirt but I saw one guy in denim jeans, with a leather belt and flannel shirt. Bless his heart, at least he was exercising! I am more aligned with this group: working out on a basic level, dressed in something less than Under Armour.
So, what am I wondering, you’re wondering? Does the Bible say much about fitness? Yes, fitness is addressed in Scripture. New Testament events took place in Greco-Roman times, when body building and sports competition were popular, and there are Scripture references to both. The Apostle Paul told young Pastor Timothy to train for a godly life because “physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is valuable in every way” (1 Timothy 4 v 8). In Hebrews, believers are encouraged to “run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12 v 1)
As summer approaches, I will continue my gym visits and not neglect to train spiritually as well. Of course, I love that the Hebrews quote above calls Jesus our Author! I encourage you to exercise the habit of reading His Word regularly. “How to Read the Bible” on my Pages tab provides ideas for Bible reading. I also added a new quote on the Testimonial page.
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