Issue 1763 – In the Pool – July 3, 2025
Five mornings a week, I attend an aquafit class at the pool near our home. I like to arrive 15 minutes before the class starts for a light warm-up and some social time with other attendees. That’s followed up by 45 minutes of water aerobics.
The class has a maximum of 40 attendees, some of whom participate in shallow water (light impact) and a lesser number who participate in deep water (no impact). Most of us are 50+, because working folk aren’t usually free to go to the pool at 8:15 on weekday mornings.
There are men and women of all cultural and economic backgrounds. Some are very fit, others can barely move, and most of us are somewhere in between. The community changes from day to day and week to week, but most are regular attenders. When a regular is missing, it is noticed, the same as when a newbie shows up.
There are non-stop talkers, shy people, complainers, grumps, and delightful people. Some will fight you to the death for their favorite spot (well, perhaps not literally, but they are possessive.) Others couldn’t care less.
Some are Christians. Others practice other faiths or have no interest in spiritual things whatsoever.
We share two things in common. Most of us enjoy a little social interaction, and all of us are trying to get fitter to some degree or another.
In some ways, the aquafit classes are a microcosm of our society, mirroring other common interest gatherings, such as social clubs and church groups.
The vast difference between these groups and the church is the Holy Spirit. While the Spirit indwells every believer, His power is magnified when we gather together. Christians gather to worship God and to learn to become more like Christ. Our worship should be Bible-based, Christ-centered, and Spirit-filled.
We can (and should) influence others outside of our church gatherings, but it’s when we gather as believers that we are encouraged and empowered for life between our time together.
It’s great to be involved with non-Christian groups, but we must not neglect gathering as the church.
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 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 10:19-25
Let’s be involved with the world outside the church, not to bend to its ways, but to bring the hope of Christ. Yet, let us not neglect gathering as believers.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”