Making the Most of the Crowded Gym & New Year Resolutions

My New Year resolutions rarely include weight loss or physical regimen goals. In the gym and on the street, I am a plodder. Now, I am bracing myself for the New Year crowd invading my 18-inch personal bubble at the gym, where I use free weights in a work-out room tucked away upstairs. I'm usually grumpy about the increased traffic flow and on past years, I have stayed clear of the  gym, taking to the streets for my regular run. But this year, I was reminded of one of the reasons I go to the gym - a reason that has nothing to do with exercise. I go to meet people and to build relationships. 

While I was lifting two modest dumbbells, I saw in my peripheral vision a woman with a name tag, and I assumed that she was a athletic club employee. I asked her about the new, extended hours and she said, "I don't know; I don't work here." Then, I read her tag and discovered that she works for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was happy to converse with me, providing my much needed rest from the dumbbells. Her husband directs the missionaries in our county and so I asked her if he would be interested in brining all the missionaries to The Beaverton Religion Forum, hosted by Evergreen Presbyterian Church, where I serve as Pastor. I explained to her that the forum is intentional space for us to be good neighbors. We allow for two or three differing world views to be presented, usually focused on a particular topic. The purpose is not to argue, but to seek to understand the differences and to be good neighbors in spite of the differences. For me, every forum is an opportunity to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ as it has been proclaimed by the Apostles of the first century. She thought it a good idea for her group to participate. 

And so, I got to thinking about making the most of the crowded gym and New Year resolutions, and came up with the following list. For me, as a Minister of the Gospel, the list flows out of the clause, "If I am interested in proclaiming the gospel, then...."  I am well-aware that you may write your own opening clause to fit your particular passion, vocational pursuits, or New Year resolutions.

If I am interesting in proclaiming the gospel, then...

1) I will go where the crowds are gathering and meet new people.

2) I will be intentional about my passion in my conversation.

3) I will listen and engage the passions of others.

4) I will work hard to remember names.

5) I will follow through with contacting a person for further engagement.

6) I will seek to build our community.

7) I will pray for those I meet and engage in conversation. 

I could add more, but I like lists of seven and find that I can manage seven or less steps, but fail miserably if there are eight or more.