Getting Fit With Jesus

June 27, 2020 by  
Filed under Humor, Stories

By Kim Stokely –

Jesus waved to me while I rode along the bike path this morning. He showed up at my step aerobics class too.

I blame my kids. Not for driving me insane (although they’ve come close) but for creating an animated Jesus that appears on my Wii Fit game. I bought the system as part of my resolution to exercise more. For those of you who don’t know, the Wii computer lets you create cartoon versions, called avatars, not only of yourself, but anyone else you’d like to populate your virtual world. So along with our two dogs, King Tut, Sean Connery and Sarah Palin, they made a Jesus character that periodically appears while we’re playing the various games. They did a good job with the avatar. He’s dressed all in white and sports the long brown hair, beard and mustache I’ve always pictured Jesus as having.

I’ll admit, it’s a little strange and at first I thought it might be sacrilegious. But I soon noticed something, my heart lightens when I see the Jesus avatar waving at me as I jog in the virtual world. And when he’s clapping for me at the goal of the obstacle course, I’m reminded that Jesus really is cheering me on to the finish line.

It’s also served as an eye opener in my spiritual life. I realized as I jogged with Jesus the other day how much I try to compartmentalize my faith. I may have a morning quiet time and attend Bible studies and church, but I often forget that the Lord is with me through every moment of the day. It’s easy to remember that when I’m reading scripture or singing a praise song, but when I’m making dinner or folding the laundry I tend to forget.

Psalm 139:2-3 says, “You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways” (NIV). Seeing the avatar of Jesus is a great reminder of that passage. It helps me keep my focus on God, not on the minor irritations of the day like traffic jams, overflowing laundry hampers and burnt dinner rolls.

Of course, I still find it strange when Jesus knocks me down with a direct hit in the “Snowball Fight” game. But my kids just laugh and tell me I’m being purified and made white as snow!

About Kim Stokely

Kim Stokely has toured throughout the country in a one-person musical about women in the Bible. She lives in Nebraska with her husband and a variety of creatures including: two teenagers, two dogs, a parakeet and a legless lizard. Her stories have been printed in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Vista, and Writers’ Journal and she invites you to visit her website @ www.kimstokely.com to read her award winning short story, Bingo.
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Comments

17 Responses to “Getting Fit With Jesus”
  1. Linnette says:

    Good article, Kim!

  2. Ron Wheeler says:

    I loved it. If you ever need cartoon art to go with your humor articles, let me know. I’ve done plenty of that sort of thing for various magazines ranging from $200-$400.

  3. Ron Wheeler says:

    I loved it. If you ever need cartoon art to go with your humor articles, let me know. I’ve done plenty of that sort of thing for various magazines ranging from $200-$400.

    I should add, check out my work at CartoonWorks.com. If you want one of my free cartoon calendars, send me your postal address.

  4. Mary Wolff says:

    What a delightful story! It reminds us that heavenly beings just might be observing even our most mundane tasks.

  5. Marinda says:

    What an amusing why to help build your faith and remind you of who it is we are supposed to follow here on earth.

  6. Ann Stephens says:

    A good reminder to live what we believe, Kim! Although I think I’m glad Jesus doesn’t show up in my dance class. 😀

  7. Amy says:

    Ha ha, thats awesome…. 😛
    I think I will have Steven make a Jesus avatar, maybe he would use the Wii more…lol
    Great perspective on how it speaks to you, I never would have thought about it, but you are totally right! 🙂

  8. Laura Horak says:

    Kim, This is great. I can just picture you getting hit with a “holy” snowball!!! I am learning the same lesson – living with the awareness of being in Jesus presence all the time. When work is overwhelming or I’m struggling with something that happened no matter how small…even the little day-to-day things or a simple thank you when I’m having a good day – Jesus wants to be the first one I turn to, not the last one.

    • Kim says:

      Amen Laura! It’s so hard to do in our society, turn to others first before God. I’ve been developing a new habit since Novemeber. I realized I start the majority of my mornings in front of the computer so now, the first thing I do before I open Facebook or my writing projects, is send a quick “e-mail” to God. I’ve got a file of prayers that I’ve sent up. It’s been a great way to start the day!

  9. Julie says:

    Great read Kim! He’s helping me immensely along my journey as well – I’m up to 4 miles a day!

  10. I like the concept. I’m going to look for Jesus on my next walk in the woods. I’ll let you know if I find him.

  11. Laura says:

    I laughed out loud and then chuckled. How true. Then I realized how very true this article is. Thanks for publishing it and making me think.

  12. Marsha says:

    This story is a reminder how God is always with us no matter what we are doing. Not only do I pray to God, but I talk to him; I have a regular converstation with Him. He loves us to pray but He also wants us to have a close relationship with Him in all aspects of our lives.
    Thank you for the great story, Kim!

  13. Kim says:

    Mary and Marsha,
    Thanks for the nice comments!

  14. Mary Ellen Faust says:

    Well said, Kim. It completely changes the mundane when you know that God is with you, for you, and enjoying you!It lightens the load that you are not alone in the laundry and in the difficulties. May Jesus continue to spur you on in your physical health. Great picture, BTW!

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