Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case—things that accompany salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. Hebrews 6:9-11 (NIV)
I went to the gym for my second personal training session. As part of our membership package, we were each given three sessions. In the first session, the attentive trainer seemed like he really cared about my needs and goals. At the end, he suggested that I might want to engage his services longer than the three free sessions. He presented a fee schedule that cost much more than I have to spend right now. I promised to think about it, but refused to sign a contract at that time. When I went back for my second session, I arrived at the appointed time, but “my trainer” was not available. I was asked to go ahead and begin a workout with the assurance that he would be right with me. I could see him on the other side of the gym working with another couple. I figured that he was running behind so climbed onto a treadmill to burn up a few calories. Fifteen minutes later, he was still with the other couple. I wandered over to a yoga class. Another fifteen minutes went by, still no trainer. I could see that he was with them in his office, so figured he was given them the sales pitch as well. As they left, I followed him to the check in desk where he was greeting still another couple with the same exuberance he had shown me the week before. When I reminded him of our appointment, he excused himself from the second couple and immediately asked me if I had decided to sign up for more sessions. I told him it was more than I could afford at this time. Then, he escorted me to the machines spending a few minutes showing me how to work them, but never making sure I understood what I was to do. He abandoned me there and returned to the second couple. Fortunately, my husband’s niece signed up with us and she knew what to do. Otherwise, I might have been hurt bending or stretching the wrong way. I was quite disappointed as it had appeared in the last session that he was interested in helping me, yet now it was clear that he only wanted to sell me something. It made me think about my witness to others about Christ and the work that He can do in their lives. If they at first do not accept my message, how often do I scratch them off my list as possible converts? Or am I willing to continue telling and showing the changes that He can make in a person’s life who surrenders to Him? Am I only interested in being a witness if it is quick and easy? I must remember that lives are at stake; a greater decision than whether or not to exercise is at hand. My attitude affects the way that those God puts in my path will spend all eternity. What kind of a salesman for God are you?
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