Jesus and The Gym

I look around church lately and it has been pretty crowded. Don't get me wrong, I love that people are coming to church ..the more the merrier. But why now? What has changed? I wonder if it has anything to do with the new year? Memberships at gym increase by 30% in January. Is there a connection between people joining gyms because they want to lose weight and people coming to church because they want to change something on the inside? Do people want Jesus and the gym? The problem is that by February only 74% are still going to work out and after six months this number falls to less than 50%. That means over half quit the gym. Is the same thing happening in churches? Are over half the people quitting Jesus after 6 months?
We start with the best intentions but how can we not quit Jesus? How can we make a change that lasts a life time not just temporarily until we lose momentum? First, Jesus shouldn't be a New Year's resolution. He is a relationship. Get to know Him. Spend time with Him. Second, find someone to journey with you. Don't be a lone ranger. God created us to live in community, encourage each other, and share our burdens. Going to church is a great place to start but don't stop there. Connect to a Bible study, Life group, or other ministry. Side note: if something doesn't click or work out, please don't give up. Keep trying different things. Maybe push yourself to meet one new person a week or go out to eat afterwards with a group even if you are uncomfortable. Also, find somewhere to help out or serve. It is amazing when you focus on others and not yourself, it becomes something you look forward to. Finally, remember it is by GRACE that we have been saved, not because we deserved it but because of His AMAZING love for us. When you really make that heart connection, grasp just a little bit of that kind of love..it's not easy to give it up!

"I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God." Ephesians 3:16-19