Many people start the new year with plans to get in better shape and lose some weight. If this is you, good luck in your efforts.
But the truth is, if we are being honest, is that most exercise programs, memberships in gyms, and gimmicky dietary plans, fail more often than succeed—not because of them, but because of us. And while there are several factors that influence the outcome, some things are universal.
I would like to point out one such problem, namely starting too fast.
Anytime I have attempted to begin a new regiment of physical effort and dietary discipline, I soon learn that the pain associated with the goal is overwhelming. Past bad practices such as too much couch time and 3-pack Pop Tart breakfasts are a tough monster to beat.
Setting aside the undisciplined life for a moment, I return to the idea of too much, too soon because there is a spiritual parallel.
Years ago, I went to a trainer and specifically told him I needed to start very slowly and then build up over time. I knew that if the early experience of exercise and diet were a metaphorical form of self-flagellation, I would soon quit.
He assured me he would be mindful of my wishes. It was a mistake to trust such a perfect specimen of a man with my flabby outer self. In the very first session, I threw up after 20 minutes. To him this was normal; for me, it was confirmation that he had no clue what I meant by slowly introducing me to fitness.
Here is the spiritual parallel.
Let us say you have a coworker who marvels that you attend church each week, go regularly to bible studies, and help with parachurch non-profits on weekends in the community. In short, you are the “fit” one and he or she is the “flabby” one.
And let us further state that this person shows some level of interest in wanting to get back into the spiritual wholeness they have lost along the way.
What do you do with such a person?
Do you start by insisting that they attend Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Fridays at whatever the church event is? Do you have your colleague and friend now join you for the equivalent of four-times a week spiritual exercise? In their “off” time, have you given them the spiritual dietary training of constant prayer and biblical reading materials?
At what point will they, too, barf?
Jesus taught us to ask, seek, and knock, at the spiritual door, not crash through it.
There is a progression.
Let your friend ask questions without any demands to go further.
Tell your friend where they can find more information and that you will help them if they get stuck.
Finally, when they are ready to knock at the door, tell them they can do it, that they are ready to go on without fear. Extend an invite.
Chances are good I will not soon return to my best physical self ever again, but I can have a good spiritual body without throwing up.
So can you!
Let’s shape up in 2025.
Kent Simmons is the pastor of Canyon Community Church in Kingman, AZ.
