Jesus in the Gym

As Lent began this year, Lilia Grundy realized her new gym offers opportunities to share her faith—and Ash Wednesday is not the only time to do that.

Thou Shall Share Your Faith 

As I walked up to the counter to sign in my name for the class, I was asked, “Lilia? What did YOU do today?”  

I looked up to see my coach and front office manager staring at me curiously. I wondered why they seemed intrigued, and then remembered the ash cross on my forehead.  

“Oh, I went to Mass!” I replied. “Today is Ash Wednesday and we Catholics celebrate the kick-off to Lent!”  

The ladies seemed still interested. “Wow, that’s cool. I didn’t know you were Catholic,” said my coach. 

And that’s when I realized: Jesus was with me at the gym.  

I continued to chat with my new friends before the start the workout and I was very aware that this was a golden opportunity to share my faith. I hadn’t thought much about the fact that I would be wearing ashes from morning Mass throughout the day, but the physical marking was an obvious extension of who I was. Perhaps there was a way to carry this with me once the ashes were gone. 

Thou Shall Be an Ambassador 

Where there is no love, put love, and you will find love. (St. John of the Cross). 

My Ash Wednesday encounter at the gym made me realize that while I wouldn’t be wearing a cross of ashes each day, I could certainly model my faith by the way I acted.  

For example, there are several people whom I don’t know yet that take the workout classes with me. As a fairly new member (having joined in the beginning of the year), I’m the new face in the crowd.  

However, as an extrovert, I don’t have any trouble starting conversation. I know I can extend a warm smile and hopefully exude the joy I feel in my heart knowing I belong to Team Jesus. 

Thou Shall Recruit  

“I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know you are my disciples.” (John 13:34-35) 

This notion that I am an ambassador for Christ at home, at work, and now at my new gym, has me on a mission: to recruit for Team Jesus. I know I can only be successful if I am mindful of my behavior and attitude.  

Ironically, I often arrive to my gym unmotivated. It’s hard. It’s challenging, and I know there will be some pain if I really push myself. But inevitably, I always leave refreshed, energized and happy.  

And remembering I’m on a recruiting mission, I try to shift my body language so that I am displaying optimism even when I arrive. As I was about to start another class, a tall gentleman walked by be with a frown on his face, looking grumpy.  

I flashed the biggest smile I could share and asked, “How are you doing today?”  

My simple offering caught the man off guard, but his mood changed. He proceeded to squeeze out a tiny grin and said, “Good, thank you.” 

I am hopeful this will be one of many more exchanges with this member in the future. 

Just the other day, an older woman remarked, “You inspire me.”  

I must have looked surprised, “The way you work out motivates me,” she continued.  

Her comment made my day, but more importantly, it reminded me that I am there for a reason. 

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Copyright 2024 Lilia Grundy
Images: Canva