"Anyone For Latin Dance Workout??"

I was between sets yesterday, laying on the press bench, when I heard a lady walking through the gym, trying to recruit people to go in the class she was starting in 5 minutes.

"Anyone for a Latin Dance Workout??", she said, repeatedly. 

Now, even if what I am about to say wasn't the case, there is NO WAY IN HADES that I was, or ever would go, in that class!!!

But that is besides the point.  I continue my story.....that does have a point...! :)....

Bless her heart, not one person followed her into that class.  I suspect that what went through my mind is probably what went through the mind of every single other person in there: Here was the teacher, very overweight herself, wearing tight gym stuff that causes skin that should not be seen anyway to be RIGHT OUT THERE.....just out there....kind of like the old men you see at the beach wearing speedos...???....or the middle aged guys and gals wearing thong bathing suits.....?.......calling out for everyone to FOLLOW HER into the class she was leading!!!!!?????

Hey, I have my share of 'unsightly areas', but that stays between me, my wife, and lots of layers of clothes, if you get my point! :)

Bottom line?  Every single person in there, including myself, had to be asking THE big question:  WHY? ...WHY would we go in there to do what you are doing,....to look like that?????"  Something is not adding up here.....

And then, as I layed there thinking about this, it occured to me....."Isn't this EXACTLY what the problem is with trying to get most people to go into a modern day church in America??"  We are saying, "Come, follow me into the church I attend!!" 

But we have a problem......IF THEY CANT SEE OBVIOUS RESULTS IN OUR LIVES....WHY?...WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD THEY WANT TO FOLLOW US IN????

I hope this somehow makes sense, but it sure made alot of sense to me in that moment.  An invitation is great, folks.  But without a '"compelling LIFE'" behind the invitation, I cant help but to believe that just like everyone in that gym, they are left wanting.  We have to give them the WHY to come to the churches we are inviting them to. 

They have to SEE it first in us!!

People want to see results before they take a step toward faith.  "Fruit",.... Jesus called it in John 15.  Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, self-control. 

When they see THAT, our invitations will carry some weight.

Just a thought! :)

PB

Comments

[Lisa]

I would think you would go to the class to help her lose those lbs! Sometimes a little support helps others. Just a thought. The analogy was excellent though.

[Dave]

Good Stuff. Kinda like the flipside of that. Never trust a skinny cook. And on the subject of tight clothing. Yeah I think clothing companies should not make certain styles in certain sizes, it is just not good for anyones welfare.

[becca]

Excellent (and timely) analogy. Thanks.

[Leah]

Good point, PB...good comparison to how we live our spiritual life. On the other hand, you may not know how much the 'Latin dance workout' has already worked for her. : ) But yes, tight is bad...layers are goooood... : )

[Brian Hassett]

good blog Pastor Bobby...
It is like buying a diet book by some famous celebrity who is overwheight himself.
Just not what people are looking for.