Every new year brings the desire to make changes in our lives. We do this to make life better for ourselves. Sadly, the desire soon wanes, and we go back to our old lifestyles. This loss of hope seems to be a constant problem with New Year’s resolutions. Money, time, effort and energy are spent on January 1st that are forgotten before February 1st. I recommend declaring a revolution as a solution to this problem. Revolutions bring about change. I know it is a change of wording; however, resolutions have been broken for so long that futility almost resides in the definition of the word “resolution.” Let us desire to make lasting changes in our lives. So, no more walking around wishing to be closer to God. Let us draw nearer to Him!
Diet
There are many people who start dieting to lose physical weight. We also need to start a diet in order to follow nearer to God. Jesus proclaimed, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). Hunger and thirst are two of the most pressing urges people experience. The account of Jesus and the Samaritan woman serves as an example of hungering and thirsting for righteousness. Jesus spoke to a Samaritan woman at a well while traveling through Sychar (John 4:4-26). During their conversation, the Samaritan woman believed Jesus to be the Christ (Messiah). She left her waterpot and went into the city. She gathered other people and brought them to Jesus. The disciples tried to get Jesus to eat some of the food they brought to Him. His answer to their urging pertains to our explanation concerning hungering and thirsting for righteousness. He said, “I have food to eat of which you do not know” (John 4:32). “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34). The hungering and thirsting we need to exhibit is to do the will of God in our daily lives. We should yearn to find ways to accomplish God’s will in our lives.
Lost Weight
The anticipated result of a diet is to lose weight. We need to lose weight in our spiritual lives as well. The writer of Hebrews encouraged his readers to “lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). This weight works with sin to hinder our abilities to serve God. This weight differs from person to person. The weight may appear in the form of fear, doubt, anxiety, worry or any similar thing. The writer of Hebrews encouraged struggling Christians to keep looking toward Jesus. His message proved necessary as many believers were turning aside to Judaism. They found life to be easier without being persecuted because of their belief in Jesus. The writer’s encouragement urged Christians to keep living for Christ. We also need to put away things that hinder our walk.
Exercise
Exercise, generally speaking, accompanies a good diet plan. This pairing brings about maximum results. We need to incorporate spiritual exercise into our spiritual development. Again, the writer of Hebrews penned encouragement, which reads, “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). We need to decide if our actions are good or evil. There are times in our lives when we put our lives on autopilot. We engage in activities for no other reason than by habit. Other times, we act in our best interest without regard to right and wrong. What if our actions are contrary to biblical teaching? What if our actions push us further away from Christ? We need to exercise discernment so we can go to our desired heavenly home.
Run
Running brings about early results when losing weight. Spiritually speaking, we need to be running more. Paul explained, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way to obtain it” (1 Corinthians 9:24). How often do we live life just going through the motions? We have busy schedules and give no notice to anything outside of our schedules. Oh, how our lives would change if we lived a purposeful life! We need to plan to live our lives for God every single day. This type of life allows God to work in us and through us. How much good could we do by intentionally talking to people about God? How much good would result if we studied the Bible with the intent of applying its message to our lives? How about going to worship services with the intention of pouring our heart out to the Almighty? We need to be intentional and purposeful in our daily living so we can finish our race with gladness.
A Spiritual Diet Plan
There are many different diet plans to help one lose weight. These plans outline the foods one needs to eat to lose weight. Some diet plans even list exercises to maximize result. The spiritual diet plan reigns supreme in spiritual growth. Paul taught, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Reading, studying and applying Scripture to our lives brings big gains to our walk with our Lord. God’s Word acts as a “discerner of the thoughts and intents of our hearts” (Hebrews 4:12). It also lightens our path (Psalm 119:105) so we can know the direction we are taking in this life. A life built on God’s Word will yield much spiritual fruit.
Physical changes are temporary. Spiritual changes last for eternity. You are worth all of the necessary effort to succeed in growing closer to God. May we always yearn to hear, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”
