Do you remember the Energizer Bunny? With those batteries, he just keeps going!
In real life, though, there are plenty of activities that we tire of doing.
Our intentions may generate a strong start, but our enthusiasm may fizzle out. Good feelings and ease won’t always be present. Our stick-to-itiveness can become less sticky when the interruptions are too distracting, the goal in sight becomes hazy, or the steps just don’t seem worth the effort. There’s a little bit of a let down then, isn’t there?
When we know something is worthwhile, we need tools that help build up and hold together the endeavor. Goals, planning, determination, and accountability must be in place to overcome the opposition. These aspects also relate to spiritual endeavors – faith-related goals – in our Christian journey through life.
Our faith is meant to be active, not passive. The Holy Spirit is at work in us as we walk with the Lord. Paul’s words in Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV) tell us, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now…. work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
God’s Word lays out goals for his children and gives the steps to work toward them. To stay the course, we need to keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3 NIV).
To develop joy and stamina as we grow and persevere in our faith, we can:
… work against interruptions that may derail us. Setting boundaries allows us to guard our time with God as we pray and study his Word. The more regularly we spend time with him, the more we will delight in the Lord. His desires will become ours. (Psalm 37:4)
… keep our focus clear as we remind ourselves that we are now living for God, not ourselves (2 Corinthians 5:15). In love, Jesus gave up his life for us; in gratitude and love, we live for him.
… be assured of God’s faithfulness as we invest in our faith. “Confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6 NIV, letter C in Keep on Track).
… set the goal of abiding in Christ. In this we will bear the fruit of a faithful life (John 15:4). God calls us to be set apart for him. “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life” (1 Thessalonians 4:7 NIV, letter F in Keep on Track Volume 2).
… determine to keep on track in our spiritual growth and help each other stay accountable. “But encourage one another daily… so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 13:3 NIV).
Did you know that working through a Keep on Track book provides these strategies for you to exercise your faith daily? And when you do so with another believer, you experience the benefits of accountability for learning, memorizing, and living out God’s truths!
Why not try Keep on Track and see firsthand the power of God’s Word in your life?