By Sabrina Botts
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
One of the benefits of our January fast is the powerful external motivation that we get to benefit from. Many Christians all over the world choose to begin their new year with a month of fasting. It seems that everywhere you look, people are focusing on committing to spend time with God every day, taking care of their physical bodies through nutrition and or exercise, making goals, and overall setting their lives in order. This year’s “New Life Fast” has been so powerful because the teaching, devotions, and overall focus have combined all of these things together for us. I come to work each day here at New Life, and not once this month has someone brought a cake to work. So, this fast is definitely working!
It’s funny to me how we all know that these things are good for our physical and spiritual health, and we really want to do them consistently throughout our year, but inevitably, at least for me, every year, once the fast is over, I find myself slipping back into my old way of living. For me, it’s the busyness of life. I struggle with the competing priorities of work, life, ministry, and family. Self-care rarely even makes the list! Do I get up early and spend an hour with the Lord reading the word or do I take that same hour for worship and intercession? Then, what about exercise? How do I put in at least 45 mins, but still read, study, worship, pray and get to work on time? Should I get up even earlier? If I do, then what about sleeping well? Maybe I should go to bed earlier, but what about time to check in with my family and others who need ministry?
It can seem like a never ending cycle of juggling priorities that leads to frustration, especially when we know we have been called to ALL of it, even after the fast is over. In order to be different in 2022, let’s start with asking God to take our goals for spiritual growth, honoring our bodies, loving our families and others and ask Him for a sustainable plan.
Asheritah Ciuciu, of One Thing Alone Ministries, offers advice that can fit almost any goal that we want to remain in our lives after this fast. Planning is the key because a goal without a plan is just wishful thinking.
The 3 P’s
- Pick Your Goal
For example, if it is consistent Bible reading, consider what your Bible habit goal is and why that's important to you. Many of us begin Bible reading plans out of guilt or obligation, but those feelings aren’t enough to keep us going when we face obstacles. What is your spiritual growth goal for the next six weeks, and why is it important to you? What is your nutrition or fitness goal, why is that important to you?
- Pick Your Time
For many of us, morning time is best, but be realistic about your season of life and your schedule, and then pick a time you can actually commit to keeping. Perhaps lunch time or evening works best for you, or maybe early mornings fit the rhythm of your day better. Whatever is the best time for you to spend time with God, pick that time and make it a reoccurring priority.
- Pick Your Place
For Bible reading, find a space that’s well-lit and quiet for your daily devotions. Eliminate distractions by letting others know it’s your devotion time, turn off notifications on your phone, and go ahead and take the dog out now to get that out of the way! Keep your Bible, notebook, and anything else you need in a basket, so you’ll have everything handy.
For Exercise: Decide ahead of time what you will do and get it prepared in advance. For instance, if you will go to the gym eliminate distractions by packing a gym bag ahead of time and put your keys and shoes by the door. Some people even sleep in work out clothes!
For Healthy Eating: Consider new recipes or foods that seem appealing and create a menu and shopping list for the week before going to the store. Be sure to plan for healthy options, including take out or frozen foods, for when unexpected things come up that prevent you from cooking or so you can enjoy time out with others and still keep your priorities.
Once you’ve decided on ‘The Three P’s’ above, you’re ready to begin your new God-prioritized habits that can be sustained throughout the year. Jesus doesn’t promise to take away our busyness or to magically make our burdens disappear, but He promises to give wisdom and divine enablement to accomplish all that he has called us to.
PRAYER:
God, meet each of us where we are and lead us into success for sustaining the things we are prioritizing for this fast. God, for many of us this is challenging. Please help us to cultivate a mindset of health and wellness in our spirit, soul, and body. Help us rely on You and Your divine enablement when it gets difficult so that we can truly live the abundant life that You promised.
PRACTICAL ACTION TODAY
Choose your 3 P’s and put them into practice today. Resist the temptation to offer excuses for why you can’t begin doing these today. You, and the time you spend with God are vitally important. Therefore, make every effort to not put this off. Do it now, and watch how quickly and abundantly you will reap the fruit of your decision.
Published on Jan 27 @ 12:59 AM EDT
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