My whole life I’ve gone through cycles of laziness followed by insane dedication to working out, only to fall back into laziness and then back to a work out regiment, and back to lazy and around and around and around. Some parts of this cycle lasted longer than others. Sometimes weeks, months, even a year or two, but I always quit doing one part and started the other part eventually.
During one of my more dedicated times in the gym, my work out partner Mark and I got a little insane. We got to a point where we weren’t taking rest days. Sometimes working out two times a day. We were spending large amounts of money on supplements and protein and every pre and post workout drink we could get our hands on.
I guess this is just proof of my addictive personality. Sometimes between my desires, my ego and my supplements, I would over commit to a weight. I would think I could lift more today that anything I had ever tried before. I am not talking about an extra few pounds, I am talking an extra plate or two. Again my desires, my ego and my supplements would scream louder than my logic.
One time in particular, I had racked a new amount of weight for a personal best on bench press and thought – today is the day I crush my old record. I forget how much was on the bar, but I am willing to guess it was somewhere between 450 to 500 pounds. Ok maybe it was closer to 180 pounds – I always get numbers mixed up.
Anyway, I lay on the bench take a few quick breathes and push the bar up and then slowly lower it down to my chest. I remember exhaling and as I went to push the weight back up, I thought “one” rep. But the weight didn’t move, so I took another breath and pushed again and again thought “one” rep.
Again my arms didn’t move no matter how much I thought to move them. I kept thinking, “Move you stupid arms, lift!” But nothing happened. Now I get a little nervous and look around for Mark. Mark was nowhere to be seen. So I do what every seasoned weight lifter would do… I flail a bit, start to kick my legs, and make loud squealing breaths. Oh I know I looked ridiculous but I imagine I sounded even worse.
Eventually Mark showed up but he didn’t save me yet – like a good friend he needed to pause and watch for a second to get a good laugh. Then he pulled the weight off me. Trust me he was totally justified – I would have done the same.
You know what’s funny about my gym experience??? It’s the fact that each of us faces the same situation each day. I don’t mean we all get stuck under large amounts of exercise equipment. I mean that each day, we find ourselves under the weight of something that none of us can handle alone.
Emotions, family, relationships, finances, addiction, fears. Or maybe it’s not you – maybe you can see friends who’s weight is holding them back, slowing them down, and crushing them.
Ever thought, “Man I wish I could do something.” or thought “Seriously what can I do?” What if I told you that you had access to more power than we realize…
Matthew 18:19-20, “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”
We might not be able to lift our problems or fix others issues but we have the ability to lift them towards God and allow Him to do miracles.
Prayer gives us that ability.
A few things we need to realize about this verse…it doesn’t matter how many show up, 2 or 3… we are good Jesus is here. Just grab a friend –”Spot Me”
Place doesn’t matter – it can be anywhere.
Purpose matters – why are we here? Is it about us, is it about others, is it about Jesus, are we meeting in His name?
· Gathering together in His name means that we are known by Him and by His name – do people know you by His name?
· Gathering together in His name means gathering in a manner that Jesus would endorse.
What this means
· He is in our midst because He is in us.
· He is in our midst because His Word is opened and honored.
· He is in our midst and we remember what He did at the cross.
· He is in our midst by the presence of His Spirit.
· He is in our midst, and that means blessing for His.
Jesus took 12 guys and changed the world – no changed all of history and eternity. Will you gather in His name and lift up issues to change your friends, your families, your city?
There is a very heavy weight pulling this world down – I can’t lift it, you can’t lift it, but together in His name we can lift it up to Jesus and He can do miracles.
