When I started running, I knew less than nothing about what I was doing. My plan consisted of running as far as I could and then walking until I could breathe again. However, this past spring, Jon brought me a real training plan. Following it, I learned I was able to push beyond what I thought I was capable of. I stretched out my distances, my recovery times improved and so did my speed.
Granted, there were plenty of weeks I didn't reach all the goals the plan laid out for me. Sometimes, it took 3 or 4 weeks to accomplish what the plan slated for a single week. But having a concrete goal, and measurable progress helped me out tremendously. Tomorrow, I'm shooting for 6 miles. It wasn't so long ago that 6 minutes was out of reach.
When we become believers, we understand that means living a Christ-like life. And we get busy, doing the best we can. Success is spotty. Progress is hard to measure, and it's easy to get discouraged. This is where you need a plan. God gave us that plan in His word.
You may be thinking there's no clear cut plan in Scripture. (Not like Monday: Walk 1 mile. Run 5 minutes. Walk 3 minutes. Repeat 3 times. Walk 1 mile. Pretty straightforward.) But as you read – just read, not deep study – as you listen to sermons, or go to a small group, things will catch your attention. It may be positive- an exciting new insight. It may be negative- an attitude that needs correction. Those things that you're drawn to, those are the things God wants you to work on next. This is your plan. Tailor-made for you.
Right now, God is working with me on my worship. Sunday mornings are crazy, and by the time my brain has settled enough for worship, church is over. I want to come bringing acceptable praise, not just be "present". So my plan right now centers on these questions: Where is my heart? What are my priorities? Why do I get off-track?
When He's satisfied with my progress, He'll move me on to the next step in the plan.
What's in your training plan?
Lauren says
Sometimes, I just listen to the kind of music that gets me in worship mode. But, there are some mornings I feel "present" and I get frustrated with myself when that happens because I know i should be in my worship.
Plans are good. If you have a plan, you know what to come back to and you don't really get sidetracked because you have a concrete plan. If you don't, you do everything at once and nothing really gets done.
Thanks for the post!