GYMNOS – Fitness Scenarios for Self-Examination
Gymnos is the Greek origin of our modern-day word Gym. It means “naked.” GYMNOS articles in Faith & Fitness Magazine are designed to help you challenge your thinking. In the literal sense, when you are naked in the locker room there is nothing to hide. That makes most people uncomfortable. Use this scenario to get naked spiritually—be honest, transparent, undisguised and willing to be totally open with yourself and others. All characters in this scenario are fictional. Any similarity to an actual person is coincidental.
By Brad Bloom, Publisher
You and Chanel work together daily. Your body-positive attitude is certainly pc and in fact it’s even appreciated. God knows she’s endured more than her share of “no judgement”.
But what does INCLUSIVE really mean – tolerance? Can you be more than her Secret Santa for the office Christmas party or the coworker who offers the occasional compliment? What would you do if God asked you to invite her to be your workout partner?
Yeah, like REALLY want her to join you – right alongside you at your group exercise class.
That’s not going to happen. Why? Because That’s the last thing Chanel wants to do, right? Maybe, maybe not. What if a meal together, leads to a walk together and eventually a Saturday afternoon at the park playing with the kids? Somewhere along the way that invitation to the group exercise class is no longer impossible it’s just the next step in a growing relationship.
Can you release your assumptions and pride to the potential God sees in you AND her and discover all the fullness of life that Christ intends for humanity? Unwrap an all new perspective on your faith and fitness. It’s time to give more than you ever thought possible because God wants you to get more than you can handle.
Is it really that hard to envision? Not if you #wrapyourheadaroundgod
Questions for personal reflection and group discussion:
- In your day to day, perhaps at the office or in school what are the ways you interact with others? What are some of the barriers that limit good interaction and relationships? How do those barriers get constructed? In what ways do you feel God could help you to improve relations?
- What are some of the attitudes that make it difficult for some people to not fit into a group? Explore the Bible to learn more about Christ’s teachings on compassion, inclusion, passion for others and not being judgmental. Describe a time when you discovered the joy of fellowship with someone. What made it so good? How can you be intentional to pursue that same level of relationship with someone you think is different from you?
