I am a Christian and a CrossFitter. And anyone who identifies with both of the titles will agree that there are loads of similarities between the Church and their CrossFit box. Whenever my wife and I notice the similarities, we're always convicted more than a little. Unfortunately we're usually faced with the question of, "What would my faith look like if it were as good as my fitness?" or "What would the church look like if it did things as well as a CrossFit gym?"
Let me set the record straight! I love and follow Jesus. He's my rock and foundation, saviour, healer, protector, and father. I need his grace beginning and end! I love my church, the people, and share a bond in Christ with all Christians! BUT there are just too many parallels between CrossFit and Christianity to not discuss, contemplate, or at least poke fun at.
EVANGELISM
I'm really convicted about this, so why not? I'll start here.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. Matthew 28:19
It's true. I can talk your ear off about CrossFit. I get excited when someone tells me they've never heard of CrossFit. I even have an awesome CrossFit testimony to share. I once was fat, but now I'm fit. I will invite you to CrossFit until you come.
Basically, if I had the faith nuts to talk to people about the Holy Trinity, the way I spread the word of the Holy CrossFit Trinity (constantly varied, high intensity, functional movements), you'd think I was Billy Graham and my wife was Mother Theresa.
The receiving end is just as similar. Non-CrossFitters roll their eyes at a party when they find themselves between two CrossFitters comparing Fran times or complaining about how there isn't enough gluten-free options at the party, despite the IPA in their mitts.
Why is that? Why is it so easy to talk about CrossFit and incredibly difficult to talk about Christ?
1. Jesus actually matters! It's hard to talk about Jesus because there is some serious weight and consequences. In order to understand the Gospel, we have to come from a place of depravity. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We have to understand and believe that we are sinful which deserves death and we are in dire need of a way out that death. Without that understanding, Jesus doesn't do anything. So in order to share the Gospel, there has to be some part of the conversation that includes, "you're not good enough." Who wants to tell someone that?
Something I can learn here from CrossFit is that it's easy to talk about CrossFit as a better way, because people already know they're not fit enough. Like, you can't debate fat. Plain and simple, you're not healthy, I know the answer, and it ain't an elliptical or gastric bypass surgery. We need CrossFit.
You can't debate unhealthy, but all the time, we debate sin, and we convince ourselves that we're happy. But you can't debate Joy. I know the answer, it's not some new-age-feel-goodery, or morality and ethics. The answer is Jesus!
