One Life to Live

I have recently joined One Life Fitness Center here in Macon (no, I did not sign up in January). They got me with their beautiful salt water pool and shiny new machines. I love a good group fitness class or zoning out on the rowing machine while HGTV is on in the background. My kids love it because they have a tv AND video games in their kid zone. These are big exciting days in the Brown household.

And being the pastor that I am, I've often wondered if Jesus would be in a gym (maybe? but I'd guess he would rather do his exercising outside). Or the question, where is God in this exercise I am struggling to complete? Could God even break in through the foam mats, and weights clanging, and the slight misery? If you go to the gym, or physical therapy, or do any sort of exercise, I'm guessing you've had the same thoughts. The gym is not a very spiritual place to me, and it certainly isn't a reverent place. The sweat and the clanging of weights do not exactly ring out with holiness.

And yet, at the risk of sounding very cheesy, I try hard to be grateful in those moments of misery. Trying to move your body after having a baby is an effort in humility because nothing works like it used to. But I am trying to be grateful for a body that, after periods of sickness or injury, can still move no matter how frustratingly slow. There's been a few times while just walking in the pool over the last few weeks that I am struck by God's goodness in simply letting me tend to this body that he has given me. It's imperfect, but it's my way of living the words of the Psalms, giving thanks to the Lord for he is good (Psalm 136:1), or the words of Colossians 3:17: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." To be clear, I don't always do this well, but I'd hate to miss this "one life" I've been given by God.

So maybe, this week, if you find yourself sweating in physical therapy, at a gym, or outside, try to take a minute to be grateful for whatever it is you are doing. Even if it's a grungy day at the gym!