In 1996, Josh Clark wanted to give people easy victories so they could find joy in jogging. What an ambitious goal! After persevering through several failed attempts he had learned to enjoy jogging and the benefits that came with it. He developed a plan to give would-be runners easy victories by attaining small, manageable goals. He called his plan “Couch to 5K.” It involved a 9 week plan of three workouts each week. He posted his plan to a website in 1997 and it took off! Years later, hundreds of thousands have participated in the “C25K” as it is now known. The program multiplies the milestones of accomplishments, and in so doing multiplies the pride each participant experiences. They gain easy victories each day and ultimately are able to reach their goal of running a 5K!
Let me encourage you to seek to gain easy victories in your spiritual life. Too often we start out with great goals, but they are so far away and overwhelming in their nature that we eventually become discouraged and quit. For example, how many of us have already quit our Bible reading program we started in January? How many of us hear a sermon on prayer and determine to pray for so long each day only to remain in old patterns? How many consistently neglect worship and Bible study with the church because they feel overwhelmed by the time commitment necessary?
The secret to spiritual growth is giving yourself easy victories on your plan. Develop a manageable plan and take pride in each goal checked off the list. For example, if you have never read through the entire Bible rather than biting off this gigantic goal start by reading through the Gospel of Mark or the wonderful book of James. It is manageable and fulfilling. You can systematically work through New Testament books until you finish the entire New Testament. It builds momentum and pride. If you aren’t accustomed to praying very often, begin with a manageable goal of praying before each meal and before you go to sleep at night for two straight weeks. Don’t focus on the length of the prayers, but on simply talking to God. You can accomplish the goal and it will help you build toward the larger goal of being a person of prayer everyday!
Give this idea some thought for your life. What large goal do you want to accomplish in your spiritual life, that can be attained through small, easy victories? Use this simple technique to grow closer to God!
“But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14).
**Idea from The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath. p. 158-162
