Celebrating Forward Movement

I went to the doctor for an annual physical a few weeks ago and faced the scale, the blood pressure cuff, the stethoscope and the blood draw. Those measuring instruments did not care what my January 2024 resolutions were. They only assessed the reality of how I had been living all year. 

“On a scale of 1-10, how’s your energy level?” the doctor said.

“10,” I responded. We both looked shocked. (Who says 10? Did that really come out of my mouth?”) But I was thinking back to decades of being tired, even going back to high school, and always needing an afternoon nap. But this last year or two I haven’t needed an afternoon nap. My energy has stayed high all day. I told her I thought it was because I had greatly changed my nutrition and my physical activity. This is the best I’ve felt physically in decades. 

This has me thinking about how much more important December is than January, not just in physical health but in relational health, financial health, etc. What did I really do over the last 12 months that shows forward motion in living the abundant life Jesus intends for me? December is an assessment. 

I went to a friend’s birthday party recently. She turned 70, and she said that for her 70th birthday she woke up and did 70 jumping jacks, 70 seconds of wall sits, and 70 seconds of planks. On and on she listed all of the exercises she did in celebration of being 70. That’s a mindset, you know? I talked to her about it, because I told her I really want to be that kind of person when I’m 70. I want to be doing more as I get older–growing and learning and stretching myself, physically, mentally, spiritually, and relationally. She and I are going to meet for coffee in January and talk about health and aging, as she very kindly offered to mentor me. I do feel good, but I know I still have a long way to go in taking care of myself.  

I’ve told you that God placed us in a new church this year. One of the first things that impressed me with our new congregation was that they were so vibrantly alive. They talked about kayaking and hiking and playing pickleball and hockey. Most of them were older than me but with so much energy. I want that. I do NOT want to play pickleball and definitely not hockey, but I do want to have a spring in my step as I age. This month I’m celebrating that I’ve made some good movement in that direction.

Do you know what’s going to fuel the January resolutions? Excitement at success for what has already been accomplished–hope that when we seek to learn and commit to Jesus our new endeavors, he will help us accomplish them, and that work will make a difference in our lives. Results are the tinder for more growth and improved living. 

This note to you isn’t about health, although wow does that matter. It’s about remembering that Jesus gives us eternal life, so we have to think constantly about how we can grow and become more well and alive with each passing year–always learning, stretching, and striving to follow Jesus full force until this body drops dead and we get new bodies and all is perfected in us.