Out of Place!

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I started back to the gym today in an effort to regain control of my schedule and not letting it control me. For far to long I have gone from meeting to meeting, grabbing whatever I could in between them to eat (normally fast food), and going to bed really late. I’m tired of that. It’s time to change.

As I was working out today, looking around at all the rip dudes in a very heterosexual way, it made me feel a little out of place. Watching them lift mega-weight and flexing their muscles in the mirrors… I’m like “it’s ok guys, I’ll just do the treadmill with the ladies.”

As I was walking it out today feeling a little out of place I began to think about the way people go into church for the first time and feel like others are looking at them like they dont belong. How many times have people come into church feeling beat down by life and their I am flexing my spirtual biceps in the mirror.

The fact is I will never change my body if I first dont change my outlook. I have to be honest with myself. I am not in shape, and I won’t be unless I began working out and change eating habits. I can’t be expect to walk into a gym and just magically be in shape. It takes hard work and time. I have to be willing to do it no matter who is in that place.

Now, on the flip side, you CAN walk into a church and instantly be transformed. You just have to be willing to do it no matter who is in that place. You’re not expected to have it all together before you go in. And understand that the people who are in there flexing, have weaknesses too. They may just be hiding them well. There is one guys at my gym that has shoulders like a horse and legs like a little girl!

It is our job as Christians to help others when they are down, not make them feel out of place. I try my best now to get those around me to the gym. I need to try just as hard at bringing them to a place where they can be instantly changed. It’s time we all make that step. Go to people who may be broken inside and not look down on them, or judge them, or try to fix them, but take them to someone who can.

The goal… To be in a better place come this time next year.

What are you working on in 2015?

Brandon Hester