By: Kurt Barnes

Have you ever felt stuck in your spiritual journey, constantly trying to be a better person but never quite getting there? You’re not alone. Many of us find ourselves caught in what John Ortberg calls “The Shame Cycle” – a frustrating loop of good intentions, failure, guilt, and renewed determination, only to fall short again.

But what if there was a better way? What if the key to spiritual growth isn’t just trying harder, but training wisely?

Let’s explore a powerful analogy that might change how you approach your spiritual life:

Imagine you’re sitting at home one evening when there’s a knock at the door. You open it to find representatives from the U.S. Olympic Committee. They inform you that based on various factors, you’ve been chosen as the person with the best chance to win gold in the marathon at the next Olympics. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime!

There’s just one problem: you can’t run a marathon right now. Not even close.

Here’s the crucial insight: No amount of “trying really hard” will get you across that finish line. To have any hope of succeeding, you’d need to completely reorient your life around training. You’d need a structured plan, incrementally building your endurance and strength over time.

This principle applies just as much to our spiritual lives as it does to athletics. The Apostle Paul understood this when he wrote to Timothy:

“Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:7-8)

Notice the word “train.” Not try, but train. This is a fundamental shift in how we approach spiritual growth.

Jesus himself emphasized the importance of putting his teachings into practice. At the beginning and end of his famous Sermon on the Mount, he stresses this point:

“Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:19)

And in the parable of the wise and foolish builders, Jesus concludes:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24)

So what does this spiritual training look like in practice? Here are some key areas to focus on: (From John Mark Comer “Practicing the Way“)

1. Rest: In a culture of constant hurry, practice Sabbath.
2. Peace: Cultivate solitude to find calm amidst the noise.
3. Prayer: Develop communion with God in a world full of distractions.
4. Community: Foster deep relationships in an individualistic society.
5. Scripture: Stay rooted in truth when ideologies shift.
6. Fasting: Practice self-control in a culture of indulgence.
7. Generosity: Find contentment by giving in a consumerist world.
8. Service: Pursue justice and reconciliation where there’s division.
9. Witness: Show hospitality in the face of hostility.

It’s important to note: We don’t enter God’s kingdom through our practices. That comes by grace alone. But these practices help us walk in our new identity and experience the fullness of life in Christ.

So how do we implement this training in our daily lives? Here are some practical ideas:

Annual Rhythms:

• Prayer/planning retreats
• Participating in the Christian calendar (Advent, Lent, Easter, Pentecost)
• Marriage renewal experiences

Monthly Rhythms:

• Extended times of prayer and fasting
• Regular serving opportunities
• Meeting with mentors or spiritual directors

Weekly Rhythms:

• Small group or accountability meetings
• Intentional Sabbath rest
• Family devotional time
• Personal development through books or podcasts

Daily Rhythms:

• Devotional practices or a “Daily Office”
• Scripture reading or listening
• Times of silence, reflection, and prayer

When implementing new spiritual practices, remember:

1. Be specific and strategic. Write down your plan and put it on your calendar.
2. Make your goals attainable. Challenge yourself, but don’t set yourself up for failure.
3. Be flexible. Adjust as you discover what works best for you.
4. Protect your time. Guard these practices from competing demands.
5. Find accountability. Tell someone who will check in on your progress.
6. Persevere through difficulty. It takes time for new habits to form.
7. Manage expectations. You may not feel dramatic results every day, but trust the process of transformation.

Remember the words of James: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22)

Our spiritual lives aren’t about accumulating knowledge or checking boxes. They’re about becoming more like Jesus through intentional practice. As the Apostle John writes:

“Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” (1 John 2:6)

This journey of spiritual training is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. It requires patience, perseverance, and a willingness to start small. But over time, as we faithfully engage in these practices, we’ll find ourselves being slowly but surely transformed into the image of Christ.

So, what’s your next step? Which spiritual practice do you feel drawn to explore or deepen? How can you begin to shift from merely trying to intentionally training in your walk with God?

May we all embrace the adventure of spiritual formation, trusting that as we abide in Christ and put his teachings into practice, we will bear the fruit of a life transformed by his love and grace.