Are You All In?

“I need to be in community with other people who have the same goal.” said one of my group members. Another said, “I joined your group because I need a kick in the ….” Me too, I need the accountability and encouragement. I’ve been in a First Place group for thirteen years, and I’ll likely be in one for another thirteen years.

Today, I talked with a future leader who said she felt the Lord was leading her to start a group.  She recently read about the program in Beth Moore’s Praying God’s Word, in the Food Strongholds section. Then a friend, knowing she was interested in healthy living, gave her two books written by First Place for Health.  Just in case she needed more encouragement, she was talking to a family member, who told her about a local Christian weight loss group. You guessed it, a First Place group.

The next words I hear from this future leader, “I know I’m supposed to start a group, but I’m scared to death.” I’m certain she could hear my smile through the phone. “Me too.” I told her. “I was afraid when I started a group back in 2006.” My friend Becky Turner says when God is leading you to something new, and you’re afraid, “Do it afraid.”

Brene Brown in her book Dare to Lead, says, “Daring is not saying ‘I’m willing to risk failure.’ Daring is saying ‘I know I will eventually fail, and I’m still all in.’” I love hearing people tell me they are “All In.” It is no coincidence, All In is the name of our Membership Level 3.

Along with our Exercise Video Library, morning and evening prayer texts and discount on accessories, Level 3 members participate in a closed Facebook group. I’m excited to facilitate the Level 3 membership Facebook page. As we share, encourage and ask questions in our Facebook group, we will learn from each other and most of all, cheer one another on. We are in a battle, and with Christ in first place and our friends standing firm with us, we will defeat the enemy and banish the lies he wants us to believe. I’ll post a prayer daily, a scripture weekly, and monthly, we’ll have a healthy habit challenge. Most importantly, I’m looking forward to your posts. We will encourage each other.

Embrace where you are on the journey: sitting on the sidelines drumming up courage, timidly wading in – with water up to your ankles, jumping in over your head with a big splash, or you’ve found your rhythm doing laps with perseverance. We are not alone.

Recorded in Acts 18:8-11 (MSG), “One night the Master spoke to Paul in a dream: “Keep it up and don’t let anyone intimidate or silence you. No matter what happens, I’m with you, and no one is going to be able to hurt you. You have no idea how many people I have on my side in this city.”

I love that the Lord provided many people to help Paul, and he does the same for us. Let’s go deeper together. Are you all in?

Helen Baratta Director of Development for First Place for Health. She is the author of My Place for Leadership included in the My Place Leader’s Kit and Restored! Embracing Weight Loss God’s Way available at our online bookstore.