Advent and Christmas are now in the rearview mirror. What a journey it has been—from practicing Advent disciplines, to preparing for Christmas and spending time with family and friends, to pausing on Christmas Day to absorb the meaning of Emmanuel: God with us. Add to that the end-of-year lists we all scroll through, and the realization that I definitely ate more sweets than I should have during the break.
Now it’s a new year, and as I look out the windshield, there it is: the gym. For many of us, that will be a destination—or at least a goal—in the coming months. New Year’s resolutions often stir a desire to get in shape, to work off what needs working off, to work out what needs working out, and to be more disciplined in caring for our bodies, minds, and spirits.
These are good intentions: a drive to do better and a commitment to stay the course as we aim to exercise more in the new year. There are many tools to help us along the way: talking with your doctor, connecting with a personal trainer, or downloading an app to track your progress. If you happen to find the app that sends a snarky voice notification, let me know. The one that goes, “Hey buddy, you paid for that gym membership, and sitting on that couch is wasteful. Get up, get going, and get fit in ‘26!”
I applaud all of you for the goals you’ve set: walking 10,000 steps a day, swimming laps, lifting weights, signing up for a yoga class, or finally running that half-marathon you’ve always talked about. Get after it, friends. Make it happen. And be sure to celebrate both the small wins and the big accomplishments that come with each season.
Friends, as we consider resolutions, I invite you to be prayerful about how you will commit yourselves to Christ as His servants. These are the words John Wesley uses in his invitation to the Covenant Service, and he offers five practices to help us live this out:
- Set apart time, more than once, to be alone before the Lord.
I recently heard a colleague share a powerful reminder: “Don’t know about God—know God.” - Approach God with seriousness, awe, and reverence.
Practice humility as you enter God’s presence. - Claim God’s covenant and rely on God’s promise to give you the grace and strength needed to keep your promises.
Not my will, but God’s will. - Resolve to be faithful.
Be all in with God. - Be prepared to renew your covenant with the Lord—over and over, day in and day out—whether you are full or empty, whether you have all things or nothing.
It’s a new season, friends, and God’s all about doing something new. So let’s get fit spiritually in ‘26 and commit ourselves to Christ!
Blessings, 