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I have a complicated relationship with health. I grew up in rural northwest Missouri on meat and potatoes. I am among the generation when video games started to really become a staple in the home. Before I graduated high school I saw the birth of the Sega Genesis & Dreamcast, Sony PlayStations 1, 2, & 3, Nintendo 64, GameCube, & Wii, and finally the Xbox & Xbox 360. Those are just the popular ones. All that to say, if I was playing sports, I was doing so with a controller in my hand. It wasn't that I wasn't active. I grew up on a small farm, after all. My health was just never a priority. I ate what I wanted, when I wanted, and in my 20's that caught up to me. Several yeas ago I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension. Through medication, a change in my diet, and making myself move I was able to get things under control. Then, life did its thing and I fell off the wagon. A visit to the doctor revealed to me that I wasn't even back to where I started but I was worse off. 

One evening at our monthly Men's Fellowship Gathering I was sharing (hear complaining) about the state of my health when a brother just listened and smiled. When I finished he explained to me that he'd pick me up at 8:00 o'clock the following morning to take me to his gym. Long story short, through a lot of hard work and discipline, I was able to get things back under control and even kick all of the meds. I was doing things in my mid 30's that I never even dreamed of doing in my early 20's. Then, life did it's thing and I did a running leap off the wagon. I stopped going to the gym and then I started caring less about what I put into my body. 

The longer I was out of the the gym, the harder I found it to go back. Before I knew it weeks had passed... let's just say a lot of them. When, finally, I was convicted enough to peel myself out of bed and get back. Knowing how long I had been gone caused a stir of anxiety in my stomach. "What would everyone say?" "Are they going to give me a hard time?" "I hope nobody says anything, I hate being the center of attention." "I know I haven't been here in a while and I know I have all the excuses and none of the excuses at the same time. If they bust my chops I sort of deserve it." "How many new people would be there that I didn't know?" "They don't know my story or the progress I've made..." "I'm incredibly self-conscious." "This is going to seriously hurt. It has been months..!" "I wonder how terrible I am going to be jumping back into all of this." "Maybe I'll get a flat tire on the way." All these and more were the thoughts that flooded my mind during the 7 minute drive from my house to the gym.

That first drive back was both the longest shortest drive I had ever made. As I made my way through the parking lot I said a short prayer, I got out of my car, made my way to the door, took a deep breath, and stepped across the threshold. As I made my way in I received nothing but overwhelming joy that I had returned! I was welcomed with warm embraces, genuine concern for how I had been, and nothing but encouragement... and boy, did I need encouragement because that was rough. Oh, and I did receive a little flack from a few that I am closest to. I needed that, too. Following that initial first time back I talked with a few guys in the gym and set up some accountability to help me stay consistent. It has been a few months now and I'm getting my health back under control, I have been consistent with my diet and exercise, I am looking leaner, and feeling great! So, what is the point in my writing all of this? 

I want to encourage you not to treat your church membership like I've treated my gym membership. 

Summer is coming to a close, school is back in session, and maybe the busyness of the last few months has you out of the discipline of regular worship attendance. Maybe the longer you've been away you're finding that it is harder to return. Maybe you know that you should get back and maybe you even know the benefit it would be to your spiritual health. Maybe you're worried about what people might say or might think. Allow me to tell you! Like what I received from the members of my gym you'll find a group of people who love you and want nothing but the best for your walk with Jesus! They'll think that it is wonderful to see you return, welcome you with a warm embrace, express genuine concern for how you've been, and find ways to encourage you to make the worship gathering a consistent priority in your life. I'm willing to bet that there are even a few that would help set up some accountability to make it happen!

Are you reading this article feeling seen? Let this be the first of many encouragements (maybe convictions) nudging you to return to your local church this Sunday! It may be hard at first, you may feel a bit behind, you may not know everyone, and you may wrestle with insecurities but I promise you that in time you'll experience the benefits of devoting yourself to a local body of believers over a period of time. 

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” -Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

I hope to see ya Sunday