Clay in the Hands

If you are like me, you get excited with the onset of a new year – so many opportunities and the prospects of so many new experiences. We plan and dream and think about all we can get done. Then we launch out to conquer the world. We attack 2023 with a passion to see great things happen.

But today, I’d like to offer a bit of encouragement and, hopefully, a bit of wisdom. Don’t try to do it all in the first week. Pace yourself.

This is the time of year for resolutions. But according to an Inc. Magazine report from early 2020, most don’t succeed in keeping their resolutions. In fact, the report quotes a study done by Strava, in which they name January 19th as “Quitters Day” because that is when the majority of folks throw in the towel on their passion to make a change. (You can take a look at the article here)

What I have found is that change happens over time and comes as a result of quiet, determined obedience – what Eugene Peterson would call, “A Long Obedience In the Same Direction.” The best practice is to simply determine small steps and commit to them each day.

As an example, I might say, “I want to grow closer to Jesus this year.” That is a worthy goal and, I would say, a Biblical one. But setting out the first week of January to read my Bible for 2 hours per day and pray for another hour is probably not the best practice. My experience is that when we try to do too much, we get bogged down and it becomes easy to let it slip. Then guilt sets in and we feel defeated and abandon the goal completely.

Instead, we need to understand that spiritual growth does not happen all at once nor does it happen in a vacuum. Becoming more like Jesus results from moments strung together to form habits. Never dismiss the importance of moments.

So establish a simple rhythm. Don’t rush out to make it all happen in the first week or even the first month. Just focus on the rhythm of moments with Jesus in his word, in prayer, in worship, in community and in service.

Moment by moment we will move forward. And December 31, 2023, we will look back and see growth.