By Andrea Goebel
God’s Way
When I was a freshman in college, I ran my first half marathon. Since I had never run that far before, I needed to prepare for the race, or else I might not have the strength to finish it. During each week of my training, I ran one long run (starting at approximately six miles), and I increased my overall weekly mileage as well.
I didn’t begin my first day of training with a 13.1 mile long run; because I wasn’t accustomed to the distance, I could have easily injured myself. Instead, I gradually increased the distance of my long runs so my body could adjust in a healthier way. My level of fitness and endurance increased, and after four months of training, I crossed the finish line of the Indianapolis Mini Marathon within my goal time.
My training plans for a half marathon are structured quite differently than my former habits of creating New Year’s resolutions for myself. Previously, these resolutions involved a drastic start or stop to a habit that usually related to junk food or exercise. While the plans were supposed to transform me into a healthier version of myself, they weren’t realistic, and they usually created an unhealthy perfectionistic mindset. If I missed just one day of adhering to these new habits, I lost the mental strength to continue pursuing my overall goals.
The development of a healthy, realistic plan for achieving goals can be likened to our desire to live like Jesus: it is something we must pursue daily. However, the conditions may not always be favorable. During my half-marathon training, I ran nearly every day, but some days, I just didn’t want to go out in the cold rain. Yet, I had no other option if I wanted to meet my goal, and amidst those chilly steps, I gained confidence in myself and my capabilities.
In Hebrews 12:1-2, the author writes, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.”
These verses teach us a few key points: this life tests our faith, and we have to develop endurance to be like Jesus. Focusing on Him is the only way to strive toward holiness and away from sin. The author uses the word “persevere” to remind us that this race is challenging, and we will meet obstacles along our way. We may stumble, but if we follow Jesus, He will strengthen our faith through these challenges.
Faith requires discipline, and it develops over time: the more we lean on God throughout stressful situations, the more we will trust Him to help us the next time we encounter a similar circumstance. Our faith muscles grow stronger the more often we exercise them.
After several years of struggling to create lasting resolutions, I adopted a new method for setting and pursuing goals. My friends and I use the term “baby steps” to describe the gradual changes we are making in our lives: one friend attends a class at the gym consistently, another has changed her eating habits, and I am focused on living a more natural, authentic lifestyle with my family.
Instead of setting all-or-nothing goals, we are doing our best to be consistent in striving toward our goals, and we are granting ourselves grace to be less than perfect when we don’t meet them. Jesus asks us to give Him our best, and that is all we can do: do the best we can while realizing that He is God, we are human, and He is with us for the long haul. We can live our best lives if we live them with Him.