As
a Spin instructor and self-proclaimed gym rat I have an opportunity to
teach and track people’s discipline towards their physical gains. Some folks want to bulk up, train to compete in figure
competitions and some are determined to simply lose weight. Regardless
of reasons they try tirelessly with early mornings, extra reps and ‘just
one more lap’ to achieve their goals…often times
coming up short.
Two
examples come to mind right off the bat and frequent the gym. One is a
middle aged man who I’ll name Johnny Gym. Johnny looks like he
used to be a Haas back in the day, but years removed from his physical
prime he has gained weight and lost his gains from his glory days. He is
disciplined on the weights, takes his pre and post workout protein and
is attempting to eat healthier now, but his
biggest barrier he can’t break through…smoking and drinking. The moment
his jacket comes off he smells like the Lucky 7’s he puts away all day
long. Then there’s Jeanie Gym who exemplifies more devotion than some
competitors. The discouraging thing about Jeanie is that she smells like Crispy Cream donuts. It
could be her perfume or the fact that at 5:30 in the morning I’m hungry,
but as most people slam a protein shake after a workout you can see her
walking to her car slamming a fresh fried
lump of dough. A decision, which although pleases our taste buds is not the complimentary move after dominating
such a grueling regiment.
Johnny
and Jeanie's devotion and decisions made me think about our devotion as
Christians, especially during the season of Lent. Like most
people who attempt to achieve physical success through weights and
training in the gym we as believers typically fall short in our
spiritual goals as well. I'll be the first to say that I fall into this as well and especially recently. We’ll put in extra time at Church, attempt a
few added prayers or grab a hold of hope that we will live
a pure and perfect life and that’s completely understandable. But like
Johnny and Jeanie we put in all that work to quickly turn to our bad
habits and teeter with temptations that take us back a step or two.
That’s
why during Lent it’s the ideal time to not just put in the extra
effort, but focus on further gains. During this season we’re called
to prayer, fasting and alms giving. It’s the sacrifices we make, and
the surrendering of ourselves during this season that pushes us to that
next threshold. Remembering all along during the six weeks of sacrifice
that we are called to pray, fast and perform
righteous deeds humbly and between you and the Big Guy. We are to make
sure we’re not like the hypocrites that the Ash Wednesday Gospel reading
(Matt 6:1-6, 16-18) speaks of. Those people who publically seek reward
and acknowledgement of their efforts. In
common with those making sacrifices in the gym it is important that we
remain humble through the process, push hard, focus on form and put off the 'selfies' that showoff the good work you're doing.
There
is no better time to begin a new prayer routine or cut back on the
countless decisions that dilute our discipleship. In a way, Lent
gives us the opportunity to refocus our goals, set our sights on the
greater purpose and strengthen our weaknesses. Avoiding the setbacks of
Johnny and Jeanie Gym who put in all the work only to resort back to the
decisions that keep them from reaching the next
level. Now’s the time to put in the extra reps, push harder, stronger
and do the appropriate steps…if not, I’ll just expect to see you in
class at 5:30 a.m. sitting in the back of the room, getting nowhere!
Until next time…
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