Peloton Christianity
Recently, I’ve been noticing some parallels between my exercise experiences and my spiritual life. I pray that you will find this article helpful.
For most of my adult life, exercise was something that was always on my to-do list but was something I never got around to do. That changed when the pandemic hit. With a lot of extra time on my hands and with being quarantined to the house, it became natural to take walks, either by myself or with some family members. So I walked a lot, usually at least an hour or two per day. After a while, I started to notice that I started to feel pain in my feet, particularly my arches. After talking to my daughter, who happens to be a family medicine doctor, I realized I had plantar fasciitis. That curtailed my walking/exercising for a while.
In the summer of last year, I met up with my childhood friend, Moon. While we were catching up with our lives, she raved about using Peloton, an exercise app and equipment. She said it was a game changer for her because she also had struggled with trying to find an exercise routine. I was really happy for my friend, but was only mildly interested at first. Moon said that she had more energy and felt better in her clothes and her vitals were improving. I asked her how much it cost and she told me the price of her exercise bike and it was way out of my price range. But she said something that changed everything. She said that with the price of the membership for her, that she could add me on as a subscriber for free and I could have access to the exercise classes. Moon said she would love to add me to her membership. Now, my interest level was piqued.
Because I have known her for years and I trust her opinions, I became interested in using this app.
When I got home, I looked at some of the classes and gave it some careful consideration. After a week of doing the classes, I was sold. I loved that it gave me a routine and accountability and that I had access to a variety of exercise classes. It included a weight routine, something that I knew I needed to incorporate to really make a difference.
So, I’m so glad that Moon told me about Peloton. If she didn’t tell me about it, I would not have known about the app and not improved my exercise routine. But a more important lesson from this is the spiritual parallel. The point about the story is not to praise the actual app but the point that the enthusiasm that my friend had about Peloton moved me to try something that I normally would not have. Because she was my dear friend and we had a relationship for many decades, I trusted her judgment. This was the case in the area of exercise, but the bigger influence is one of our walk with Christ. Our personal witness is the biggest tool that God can use. We are sent out as “letters from God for everyone to know and read.” 2 Cor 3:2. What do we talk about with our friends and associates? Can they tell that we are Chrstians from our conversations, from our character? Does our “story” make someone ask why you are so joyful?
We are to be the fragrance of Christ. “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” 2 Cor 2:15. What happens when you leave a bottle of perfume opened in a corner of a room? Do you have to wave it around the room to let the smell permeate the room? No, it is the property of the perfume to spread itself. Does God’s presence in our lives make God look good? Does your enthusiasm for being a Believer make others want to do the same?
What if your answer is “no?” Maybe you’re not sure if your life is a good “commercial” for God. Well, the good news is that even if you’re not good at talking about Jesus, all you have to do is point them to the Cross, because Jesus promised that if He is lifted up, He will draw all to Himself.
I want to point out another similarity about exercising and our spiritual walk, sanctification. Although I was putting the work in, I wasn’t seeing any changes in my body because I wasn’t losing weight and I didn’t feel any stronger. But something happened the other day that proved that the exercise was making a difference. My son and I go to a natural spring to get water for my Mother-in-law about once a month. It requires that I squat for long periods of time. But I realized a few months ago that it was much easier for me to be in a squatting position for long periods of time. The exercises were making a difference! I didn’t notice it because the changes were happening incrementally but slowly and surely, they were changes.
Sometimes you may not feel that you’re getting to be a stronger Christian even if you’re living a faithful life. You’re doing your devotions, you are praying, reading the Bible but you can’t tell if you’re growing spiritually. “The work of transformation from unholiness to holiness is a continuous one. “Day by day God labors for man's sanctification, and man is to co-operate with Him, putting forth persevering efforts in the cultivation of right habits. He is to add grace to grace; and as he thus works on the plan of addition, God works for him on the plan of multiplication. Our Saviour is always ready to hear and answer the prayer of the contrite heart, and grace and peace are multiplied to His faithful ones.” Acts of Apostles, p. 532
So Praise God, that He’s doing a good work in you, even if you don’t feel like you’re getting “holier.” May we be inspired by the Holy Spirit to be the fragrance and letter for Jesus. When people see and interact with us, may they sense that there is a supernatural presence living in us.