There are two reasons I will not miss my Monday morning weightlifting class. The first reason is Nacho Cheese Doritos. The super cheesy chip is one of the few foods I legitimately crave. I want to eat them when I want to eat them. (Because my remarkable husband adores me, he even made a Doritos run for me in the height of a recent hail-storm. Yes, I married well). The second reason I will not skip a Monday morning Bodypump class is G.I. Jane. I’ve never known an instructor like her. And, yes, her name describes her perfectly. She is about the same age as I am, and she has boundless positive energy and a stunning outward appearance to match. She gives 130% at every class, and her enthusiasm is contagious–spurring others on to give more, as well.
Today, while lifting weights under her instruction, my eyes wandered over to another member. This member is a little older than I am, and she looks fantastic. I watched how she was doing the training and noticed it was different than G.I. Jane. It wasn’t too long before I heard a little voice that said: Why is she doing it differently? What if her way is better? Maybe I should copy what she is doing so I can get faster, better results!!
I changed what I was doing and I began to copy my neighbor. BIG MISTAKE.
G.I. Jane sat down her barbell, sat up on her weight bench and yelled at me from the front of the room, “What are you doing?! And, why are you doing what you are doing?!”
I looked over at her and gave her the most honest answer I had, “I don’t know.”
It’s amazing how easily I will allow my eyes to wander from the Instructor to another Follower and begin to mimic the behavior of the Follower. That is not the way to get the results I want. It isn’t only true physically, but it is also true spiritually.
God has called me to mimic the behavior of His son, Jesus Christ. If I keep my eyes on Him, I will get the results I am seeking. I will grow stronger and gain momentum by following His example. The moment I begin to mimic the behavior of other believers I am at risk. Their intentions may be just and pure, but one small variation and the workout could become less effective.
It’s been said, if you want to see who you will be in 5 years–look around at your friends. We become more and more like the ones we invest in and the ones we are watching. Fellowship with other believers is hugely important in our walk, but it should never replace spending time with the Lord. If we want to be like Jesus, we have to keep our eyes on Him.
DISCLAIMER: My husband also married well, he was rewarded nicely for the rainy day Doritos run 
3 comments
Krizza
April 23, 2012 at 5:29 pm (UTC -7)
Great article! Love the way you’re mind works.
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Sally Bishop
April 23, 2012 at 8:09 pm (UTC -7)
A good metaphor. How easily our eye DO wander to see what everyone else is doing. How easily we are moved by peer pressure. When looking at the ones we hang with how much do we positively influence them? Doritos are a good chip. Good thoughts all.
Selina
April 24, 2012 at 2:03 am (UTC -7)
Great post, I think that I need someone like GI Jane in my life. Keep up the gym and cut down on the doritos!
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