Better Together

For the past 9 years or so, I have a utilized the Beachbody On Demand platform for my exercise (now BODi). BODi allows me to workout at home at a time of the day that works best for my schedule.  Although I have not always been as consistent as I should be, access to the BODi platform makes it easy for me to press play and get back on track whenever I take an unplanned hiatus from exercise.

To take things up a notch, BODi launched a groups platform in 2020 to make it easier for the various people around the world who utilize the BODi platform to work out together.  The idea behind BOD groups is for all who utilize it to stay, motivated, accountable, and connected to one another.  Working out consistently can be a challenge, and BOD Groups exists to make that challenge, a bit easier. To link both concepts, BODi chose the BOD Groups slogan, Better Together.

As believers in Christ, BOD Groups format should be familiar to us.  We are not meant to do life alone, no matter how much we prefer to stay to ourselves.  Furthermore, God’s plan for us to be in partnership and togetherness is evidenced many times in scripture:

• God provided Adam a helper so that he would not be alone on this earth. (Genesis 2:18)  
• When Moses became weak from holding up his staff to give the Israelites the advantage in battle over the Amalekites, Aaron and Hur were right by his side holding his hands high, allowing the Israelites to maintain their advantage in battle. (Exodus 17:8-16) 
• Two are better than one because they help each other succeed. (Ecclesiastes 4:9) 
• It’s not good for us to be alone; it is good and pleasant for us to live together in Unity.  (Psalm 133:1)
• As Iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend (Proverbs 27:17)
• Encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are doing  (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
• Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

As I read these scriptures, it is really hard for me to imagine executing any of the aforementioned tasks, alone.  God wants us to support each other, pray for each other, hold each other accountable, and celebrate the joys of life together.  

As far back as I can remember, I have been an introvert.  Even with that dominant personality trait, God has blessed me with amazing friendships from every era of my life.  Each time I say to myself, "I have enough friends, I don’t need any more friendships to maintain”, the Lord puts an amazing person on my path and eventually in my life, who makes me stronger, enhances my thinking, and elevates my ability to care about others.  

I'm so glad that God has shifted my perspective over the years and allowed me to truly appreciate friendship, partnership, and togetherness.  Was I fine alone, yes.  But am I better with the multitude of relationships that God CONTINUES to bless me with?  Absolutely! In a world where we are made to think we don’t need anyone, and other people are always in the way of what we want, the word of God reminds us that we are and always will be, better together.


References
Biblica, Inc. (1984, 2011). The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Harper Collins Publishers.

BODi. (2023, March 2). BOD Groups: Your Secret Weapon for Success. Retrieved from BeachBody on Demand: https://www.beachbodyondemand.com/blog/what-is-bod-groups

Tyndale House Foundation. (1996, 2004, 2015). Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Carol Stream, Illinois. All rights reserved.: Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.