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Don’t give up because someone else is rude, mean, or discouraging. And keep in mind, to every person you meet–you are every church, every Christian..you are Jesus to them. Don’t you be the reason someone else wants to give up.
When your wife gets home and you ask how it went and her reply is, “Terrible, I cried the whole way home.” … the right thing to do is hug her. Thank you, God, that I have a husband who knows this.
Have you ever stepped out to do something that was out of your comfort zone, hoping that you’d be rewarded for your courage only to be shot down? Yeah. That. I’m not talking about outright personal rejection, just something going in a generally sucky way.
We all have areas we are self-conscious of, and for me it’s always been my weight. After being motivated by my sister’s commitment to working out, I decided to jump in and join a gym that had just opened up about 3 minutes from our house.
I’m not a ‘gym’ kind of person. There was a season, a long time ago, that I worked with a trainer and felt the healthiest I have as an adult. But it’s been awhile.
So I called and made an appointment to go in. I walked in feeling unsure and pretty nervous, but encouraged that I was doing something to better my health. I left (less than 5 minutes later) with every feeling of ‘this is not a place for me’ reinforced tenfold in my mind.
Anytime Rude-ness
I was greeted at the door by a friendly young lady who knew my name and escorted me back to the office. She introduced me to another lady, who pulled out a chair and slid a membership form across the desk to me.
“I’ll need your driver’s license and insurance card,” she said, pushing a pen over at me to get started on the form. No “What can I tell you about the gym?” or, “What are your fitness goals?” She was about the business of adding a member.
My heart sank immediately, as I had been hoping to experience some of the encouragement I’d been reading about in the success stories online. But I consciously told myself that I was not going to let it deter me from my goal, so I smiled and asked what the cost was as I reached for my purse.
She told me the monthly cost without a smile and added, “…and that’s with a 12 month contract.” Surprised, I said that I thought it was a monthly payment.
Her reply, as she stared me down: “Well I can do that, but then you have to pay a $50 enrollment fee.”
That’s when I decided that it was time to go.
Above All, Love
I’ve written before about the church being like a gym, and that came to mind as I drove home. I still believe that both an actual gym and the church need to push us to be better and achieve fitness (physical or spiritual). But man, can I see clearly the draw of Planet Fitness and its ‘No Judgement Zones’. They were made for people walking out of experiences like this. Marketing genius.
I began to think about people who’ve had bad experiences with churches. Even though my kind husband was trying to encourage me, his suggestion that I try another gym felt like an invitation to subject myself to further pain. No way.
At that moment, that lady was every gym to me.
Do you see what I’m getting at?
To every person you meet – you are every church, every Christian …you are Jesus to them.
And we can either leave people feeling like they are just a notch on our spiritual belt so that they go off in search of a ‘no-judgement church’, or we can love them. I truly believe that Christians (even salty ones) are some of the most genuinely loving people on earth.
But I just as strongly believe that we need to be a bit more intentional in making people feel that love, especially in the church.
“Above all, love each other deeply..” (1 Peter 4:8)
Above all.
Don’t Give Up
I will try another gym. Maybe. Maybe I’ll invest my money in some home exercise equipment. Maybe my kids will have to be on the alert for mom dancing around the house more. I’m not giving up because ultimately, my health is my choice. I could blame a rude, mean lady at the gym, but she isn’t going to pay the consequence of my health choices, I am.
I would love to know…How have you made fitness a part of your life?
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You have such a gift for creating thought-provoking analogies & I love this raw, honest & vulnerable post! Thanks for the encouragement to intentionally show love. Your determination to keep striving to create the healthy lifestyle that you desire is also very inspiring! Is it possible that you could join your sister, perhaps a trial membership wherever she goes?? I commend your bravery at trying it solo! Personally, I have been blessed and emboldened to enter the daunting world of group fitness classes, by initially accompanying a friend with more experience and similar goals. Once you find your niche (for me, I love yoga & pilates), it’s much easier & even a lot of fun to go in alone! Thanking God for your courage and compassion & praying that your path to wellness becomes less burdensome & more enjoyable soon!! xoxo
Beth,
Your words are a beautiful encouragement. Of course they made me cry. 😉 Thank you, sweet friend, very sincerely. <3
I see why my last post seemed to resonate so greatly 💚 I may complain But I’m obnoxiously optimisitc. I keep going to blow by disappointing blow Hoping for better outcomes.
That being said I honestly have never experienced a gym that wasn’t driven by the bottom line, I’m surprised they were flexible enough to allow 4 months for a simple 50 dollar enrollment fee since the running minimum requirement at most gyms is TWO years, which Are IMPOSSIBLE to cancel.
Home gyms are how we roll.
Yes, I definitely had this post in mind when I read yours. 🙂 And I think you are spot on with the home gym idea. Definitely looking that direction. Being generally optimistic myself, I keep hoping that the inspirational experience that is marketed is out there somewhere. Sigh… it really does come back to personal responsibility, though, doesn’t it? Oh for a magic pill to right all wrongs!
I love this! (And all of sudden I am once again in love with my gym and my church)
Thanks, Helene. It sounds like you lucked out in both cases (gym and church)!!
Such a great post, Susan! I loved your previous post comparing gyms to churches, and I love this one, too. Another terrific comparison that puts things in perspective and results in the convicting reminder that we are representing the Church to everyone we meet. We can be the reason they reject the church. No, they don’t get off the hook because of using us as their excuse (just like you said about not being able to blame the people at the gym for rejecting fitness), but I sure don’t want to provide any hint of an excuse to someone who wants to reject the Church and Christ. I need to be Christ to everyone, showing love consistently as His witness, not giving anyone a reason to say, “No, thank you.” Thank you for this important reminder!
Absolutely yes! Personal responsibility on all sides doesn’t let anyone off the hook, does it?
Oh, and my best fitness tip is to, yes, absolutely invest in some equipment so you can do exercise at home! I exercise regularly because I’ve made it a no-choice habit, which I can make myself do because it’s at home. I really don’t like having to exercise in public or make myself go somewhere outside the house in the morning to exercise. Too many opportunities for excuses not to do it that way. If you want to start cheaply, just purchase a set of small hand weights and an exercise DVD or two (or three!). Way cheaper than a gym membership, and you’ll probably actually do it! 🙂
Great advice, and I think I will do much better this way, too. Starting with DVDs (I actually found some online ones that are even more convenient) I think is easier because I get the encouragement of an instructor without feeling judged by being around real people. Thanks for sharing what works for you. Hearing how other people create the habit is really encouraging.
Yes! It’s so scary going to a place where you feel as though everyone knows something you don’t. About 5 years ago, my husband and I decided to get serious about our health and joined the YMCA. I’ve never looked back. I never feel judged and always feel welcomed. It’s a little pricier, but it’s great for the kids. We joined the Y when we moved to St. Paul and they have great pools, kid’s sports and family events. It doesn’t feel like a regular gym. Good luck!
The one good gym experience I ever had was at the Y. When our kids were little we joined, and we loved it too. Even after we were no longer members, we did the boys’ swimming lessons there. At the time, my husband’s company paid for a portion of it, and our insurance contributed, making it very affordable. Might be worth another look at the cost for an individual. Thanks for the encouragement!
Oh, that sounds like an experience that would make me cry, too. I’ve never been a gym person either. Lately I practice (Christian) yoga with Caroline Williams on YouTube. So sorry you felt judged, but what a perfect metaphor for the church. Thanks so much for sharing your heart. ❤ (Visiting from Sunday Thoughts)
Thanks for your encouraging words, Laura. I have found some good workouts on YouTube, too!