Hooping for Him
Using a hula-hoop for
evangelism? Huh? I have come to the prayerful conclusion
that this activity can be re-invested with value through the heart of
Him who knows all about hoops and circles and revolutions as He is the
One who "...sits enthroned above the circle of the earth..." (Isaiah
40:22a), the One who made gravity and centrifugal force, and who knows
that a spinning top or a whirling hoop is a thing to delight and
intrigue, something that highlights a tiny facet of His glory and
creative power. Here's a typical interchange with an
onlooker.
Watcher: Wow, you're pretty good with
that hula hoop!
Me: Thanks!
Watcher:
I bet that's a lot of exercise.
Me: It sure is! But it's helped me to
lose 112 lbs.
Watcher: WHAT? You're
kidding! All with a hula hoop?
Me: Well, the hula hoop is just a part of
it. I learned how to eat smarter through a free online Bible
study called, "The
Lord's Table"
Watcher:
No kidding?
Me: Yes. In a nutshell, I learned that
God created us to be hungry beings. He made us to be hungry
because He wanted us to learn to find our satisfaction in Him, to be
complete when we join our hearts with His. But what happens is
that we get confused. We end up eating physical food to fill a
spiritual hole in our hearts. That's why we eat when we're bored,
when we're stressed, when we're mad, when we're glad . . .
Watcher:
Yep, I know that's right.
Me: The
study helps get rid of the confusion so I learn to eat physical food
when I need fuel for my body and I also stay spiritually tanked up so I
won't feel empty. [at
this point, I wait for a moment to see if they ask other
questions. If they do, I answer. If not, then I go forward
like below]
Me: Anyway, the study also encourages us to find a regular exercise that we enjoy. I like walking and riding my bike, but after a while that seemed like a chore. You know, "oh brother, now I've got to go for a walk..." But when I found the hoop, I found a fun way to get my exercise, rain or shine. And you can tell that this isn't a lightweight kid's hula hoop. It's a heavy adult fitness hoop. [sometimes they have questions about the hoop itself so we may talk about that for a minute]
Me: Anyway, the study also encourages us to find a regular exercise that we enjoy. I like walking and riding my bike, but after a while that seemed like a chore. You know, "oh brother, now I've got to go for a walk..." But when I found the hoop, I found a fun way to get my exercise, rain or shine. And you can tell that this isn't a lightweight kid's hula hoop. It's a heavy adult fitness hoop. [sometimes they have questions about the hoop itself so we may talk about that for a minute]
Me:
Hey, do you have access to the internet?
Watcher: Sure [99% do--if they don't, they say, "well, my daughter does"]
Me: You can check out the study on the internet. Here's a little card with the website address. Have a fun day!
Watcher: You, too!
"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
Before and after photo
email: hooping4him@justbeeme.com
Watcher: Sure [99% do--if they don't, they say, "well, my daughter does"]
Me: You can check out the study on the internet. Here's a little card with the website address. Have a fun day!
Watcher: You, too!
"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
Isaiah 43:19
Before and after photo
email: hooping4him@justbeeme.com
