The sky was dark and the moon shone brightly as Amy stepped out of her doorway. A sudden chill caught her off guard as she hurried to her car and jumped inside. While she enjoys her job, the early morning hours are a bit tough to handle Amy is a workout coach at a local gym-a job that brings her both challenges and opportunities as a Christian.

Amy grew up in a Christian home and attended church regularly. Although she believed the Bible and wanted to serve God, her parents' lives seemed to contradict the Bible's teachings. As time progressed and Amy focused on her relationship with God apart from her parents, she began to embrace and value her faith. She also began to grow in the Lord and in her understanding of what it means to follow Christ and serve him.

A Change of Plans

Amy attended a Christian university with a major in education. After graduating from college Amy married her college sweetheart instead of pursuing her educational goals. After the wedding she soon became pregnant with the first of her two children. Formal education went by the wayside and Amy entered into an education of a different sort: raising and teaching toddlers.

As time passed, Amy's toddlers grew and entered school. This gave Amy the opportunity to think about what she would do with her extra time. While she thought about pursuing education, her family's financial needs came first. Her husband's salary was not enough to make ends meet. A friend of hers mentioned that the local gym was looking to hire workout trainers. Although this occupation was new to her, being athletic and physically fit were not. Amy had always been involved in sports throughout high school and college. She decided to give this job a try.

As a Christian, Amy faces many challenges to her faith in this occupation. The fitness world attracts many people with different philosophies and strategies. Amy is careful not to force her fitness views or her faith on anyone. However, she is quick to offer advice and pray for anyone who requests it.

Many of the people who hire fitness trainers are determined to change their lives. Some think a new body will turn their lives around. Whether it is about finding the perfect job, meeting the perfect mate, or simply being successful, many people believe that if they get the perfect body they will get the perfect life. Amy works with everyday people who think this way, including celebrities whose goal is to look younger and better in order to find fulfillment.

Life-Changing Faith

Working with such a varied group of people has brought an enormous challenge to her faith. "How do I maintain my professionalism, yet share my faith with those who need it so badly?" Amy prayerfully considered her options, then realized the incredible blessing and opportunity God had given her. Not many are blessed with an enjoyable job and the exciting opportunity to meet people with a definite need in their lives. Amy chose to be careful but bold with her faith. She seizes every opportunity to talk about the one who makes her life fulfilling. The perfect body or job does not cut it. It is her relationship with the Lord that fulfills her each day.

On one occasion Amy was working with a young professional who was getting married in a couple of months. She took the opportunity to share with this young man her decision to remain abstinent until marriage. The young man was surprised and intrigued with her comitment to abstinence. It was something he never considered . . . until now. The next week he came back to Amy for his training session. He excitedly told her how he had spoken to his fiance about being abstinent until marriage. In addition to agreeing to his request, his fiance also agreed to start attending church and get premarital counseling. Amy was ecstatic that this young man had listened to her and was thankful that God was using her in such a profound way.

In addition to her opportunities, Amy faces challenges as a Christian in the workout profession. As with any job she must resist the temptation to gossip and participate in conversations that do not bring glory to God. Amy desires to be a witness for the Lord even though the atmosphere in which she works makes that difficult. However, she will continue to work hard-both as a trainer and as a witness for the Lord. 

OTHER COLUMNS:
June 15, 2008 - A time saver who knows the soul saver
May 18, 2008 - Working by faith 24/7
April 20, 2008 - Motown, music, and ministry
March 23, 2008 - Be One Sportswear
February 24, 2008 - Fighting for the faith
January 27, 2008 - Healing for the Healer
December 30, 2007 - Parenting faithfully
December 2, 2007 - Building physical and spiritual strength
November 4, 2007 - Taking Christ into the classroom
October 7, 2007 - Changing lives through music
August 12, 2007 - Strategies for business and life
June 17, 2007 - Finding fulfilling work
May 20, 2007 - Faithful to his calling
April 22, 2007 - An unstoppable witness
March 25, 2007 - The perfect plan
February 25, 2007 - Teaching with faith
January 28, 2007 - Changing a community—one event at a time
December 24, 2006 - Business by the book
November 26, 2006 - Growing through life’s storms
October 29, 2006 - Giving God his best