As we get ready to enter into the New Year, most of us stop and think about what we hope to achieve in the upcoming year.  It never fails, most resolutions or goals fall away by February or March at the latest.  Yet, most of us continue to make resolutions or goals each year.

This past year was an unusual year for me.  It started out in the normal fashion—I thought this should be the year that I try to lose some weight.  For I have thought I would get serious about this for many years.  However, this year I was actually able to follow through to some extent.  I did lose weight over the year.

As I take some time to stop and reflect upon this past year, I think that my journey with losing weight and my regime of running is a good metaphor for the spiritual journey.

My guess is that along with trying to lose weight; the other popular resolution is to get closer to Jesus (whether that is reading the Bible more regularly, praying more, being in worship more often, etc.).  Most of the time, we have good intentions and start out strong, but gradually fade away from this disciplines that we do want to partake of.  It is often this way with exercise and dieting. 

What I learned throughout the year is that slow and steady is the way to go.  Last January, I couldn’t run .1 mile without stopping and catching my breath.  If in January, I would have said to myself—I am going to run a half-marathon (13.1 miles).  I am not sure that I would have been able to do it.  For I would have been frustrated and given up as the goal seemed too far away.  However, I started walking longer and faster and then trying to run between the utilities poles and then walk and then run the next one.  Finally, I got up to running a ½ mile.  And then was able to run a mile.  It was a slow and steady process—small goals piling upon each other.

For our spiritual lives, it is the same.  If you want to read the Bible every day, but have not done a lot of reading.  You will get frustrated if you start out trying to read too much at one time.  Rather begin by trying to read 5 or 10 minutes day.  And set a goal of 6 days of week—so that if you miss one day you do have built in a day of grace.  Then gradually maybe read a little bit more after you are more consistent with the smaller goal.

The other thing that I learned throughout the year was the importance of having someone to encourage and keep me on track.  Nate Otte kept after me and helped develop a running schedule for me with realistic goals that stretched me some.  It is extremely helpful to have that person who keeps us accountable and encourages us on.  Too many times, we try to do things by ourselves—and then we get frustrated and give up.  By having that person who encourages and assists us, it makes it easier to keep moving toward the goal.

It is the same way in our spiritual life.  It can be extremely helpful to have a person or group to meet with regularly and talk about your spiritual life—pray for each other, talk about what you are learning, share your own struggles.

I have been amazed at what I accomplished this past year—going from not running at all to running a half-marathon.  All this took place because of taking small steps, staying focused upon the goal, and having others encourage me. 

I encourage you as this New Year is close at hand to use this time as a time for a new beginning.  Start slow, stay on course and surround yourselves with other who will encourage you on your journey.  May this New Year be a year of spiritual growth and a time of new starts.