Self-control. Discipline. Getting in shape. A new commitment to stick to the plan. How many times have you written down these goals or thoughts about them just before January 1? In a CNN report last year on New Year’s resolutions, it wasn’t surprising to learn that losing weight is most common goal people set. In fact, I would guess that year after year that rarely changes––it will always be up there. It’s what fitness centers across the country gear up for: an influx of new customers and increased revenue in January more than any other time of the year. And then we come to our senses––around February. When I was a player, we’d see that occasionally when training camp rolled around. Professional football wasn’t a year-round enterprise then, and guys had jobs in the off-season. Some would show up totally out of shape when camp began. As followers of Christ, we should maintain self-control and discipline, especially when it comes to taking care of our bodies. Getting in shape and making a commitment to stay that way honors God. He has given us our bodies through the miracle of creation. Taking care of them, watching what we put into them, and being careful about how we use them each day are responsibilities we shouldn’t take lightly. But that mind-set is not only important for our physical bodies. That desire and discipline also applies to the training we do and the commitment we make to ourselves and to God. We commit to learn more about Him and about how we can be better disciples. It’s not a passive endeavor. It takes resolve and repetition, consistently working at it for maximum results. And results will happen as we grow closer to Him. Real success in achieving goals––whether they were set on January 1 or not––comes when we know we can’t do it by ourselves and look to the Lord for strength. Where do you need improvement? More physical training for your body, taking care of the temple He gave you? Or getting to know Him better, spending time in His Word and with Him in prayer? I’d recommend both on a regular basis. And ask God to be your trainer, to be there when you need to be pushed a little harder. He will give you the strength to help make your resolutions realities.

UNCOMMON KEY> Moving from desire to actually doing better is only achieved with self-discipline, and self-discipline only works effectively when you trust in Him to help make your resolutions realities.

What is God saying to you right now? Jot down those thoughts and pray them back to Him.

This devotion was taken from: The One Year–UNCOMMON LIFE–Daily Challenge; January 1; by Tony Dungy and Nathan Whitaker