Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. Luke 5:31

Please take a moment to read this week's entire passage!

I showed up to my first day of CrossFit almost ten years ago completely out of shape and with zero experience in any kind of gym or group fitness setting. Everything in that first class was brand new to me, but I officially joined before I left that day. The next day everything was sore, but I kept going back for more! CrossFit made me feel strong, which was a brand new experience for me. All of my health parameters improved, I could go up a flight of stairs without losing my breath, I didn’t struggle lifting heavy things, and I could keep up with our then toddlers easier. Working out consistently changed my life the same way it’s changed so many others, and that naturally made me want to share my experience with the entire world! Why would I want to keep something so life changing all to myself?

I talked a lot about it in the beginning (because the first rule of CrossFit is to ALWAYS talk about CrossFit!), and I quickly discovered that sometimes CrossFit gets a bad rap. After the novelty had worn off, I didn’t mention it much outside my family and close friends. I still don’t unless asked about it, because you never know who’s a hater! 

Our passage this week describes the calling of Levi, the tax collector turned disciple of Jesus. Levi didn’t fit the picture of Jesus follower, but when asked, he immediately stood up and went with Jesus. Meeting Jesus transformed Levi from cheating government official to faithful follower, and this new experience was so radical that he threw a big party for Jesus to share what had happened (v29). He invited everyone he knew, because why would he want to keep something so life-changing all to himself?

How often do you talk about how the Good News changed your life? In writing this I’ve asked myself the same question. Do I talk about the life changing transformation that’s a result of my knowing Jesus as much as I talk about my preferred fitness regime? True confession of a CrossFitter: I don’t always, because you never know who’s a hater! Haters don’t typically stop me from talking about CrossFit, and I try not to let them stop me from talking about my faith. I’m not jumping on couches and beating my chest in order to declare my love for Jesus, and I’ve never thrown a party in Jesus’ honor. One-on-one conversations, acts of kindness, and the written word, a la Connect Devotionals, are more my jam, but a party could be fun! :)

It is not the physically fit who need a gym, but the out of shape. It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. It is not the righteous that need the Good News, but the sinners. (We’re all sinners!) Ask God for the courage to share what He’s done in your life with one person today.