The Power of Change: Like a Spiritual 5K
Why character growth requires a plan, effort, and perseverance.
Wisdom Scripture
2 Chronicles 1:10 (NIV)
10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?
Wisdom Quote
“Wise”
Synonyms: judgmatic*, judicious, prudent, sage, sane, sapient, sensible; compare shrewd
Related words: canny, discreet, foresighted, provident; astute, perspicacious, sagacious, shrewd; alert, bright, intelligent, keen, smart
Contrasted words: careless, heedless, injudicious; improvident, imprudent, indiscreet, short-sighted
Antonyms: foolish, unwise¹
* Editor’s note: “judgmatic” is a rare/dated form; “judicious” carries the intended meaning.
Insights: Like a Spiritual 5K
When our son David was young, he aspired to be a gymnast. He watched the powerful men competing in the Summer Olympic Games, performing incredible feats—holding an iron cross on the rings or executing backflips on the floor exercise. But you can’t become a gymnast simply by watching television.
David joined a team. He worked with a coach, devoting hours each week to getting in shape and practicing skills on various apparatuses. Gradually, he improved. His body gained muscle, and he learned to straddle the pommel horse, spin over the high bar, and launch into flips over the vault.
You may not be able to compete as a gymnast, but the average healthy person can run a 5K race—even if they have never run before. With a clear training plan, it typically takes around nine weeks to build from short running intervals to a continuous thirty-minute run, which is roughly a 5K (3.1 miles). If you work hard and follow the plan, even a couch potato can finish the race.
It baffles me that so many Christians fail to apply this same principle to their spiritual lives. If you want to develop physically, you put in effort through a fitness plan. If you want to lose weight, you follow a diet over time. Learning a foreign language or playing the piano requires lessons and regular practice. Over time, you gain proficiency. Consistent effort and gradual improvement are essential for growth—yet many overlook this reality when it comes to spiritual development.
If you genuinely want to change your character, you must be intentional. Many people float through life hoping they will become better people. But real change comes not from floating downstream; it comes from paddling upstream—against our sinful desires, the world’s enticements, and the devil’s lies. You must row hard against the natural current of apathy.
Footnotes
¹ Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Thesaurus. Merriam-Webster, Inc., 1996.
