Traditionally, New Year's resolutions are all about me.
Classics examples include "losing weight" and "getting into shape."
Most of the time, spiritual "fitness" doesn't even make it on to the resolutions radar.
Here's why: Christians who are already deeply committed to their faith understand it's an ongoing process. It's not a matter of turning over a new leaf but of turning over new leaves—every day, all the time.
"The Bible calls Christians—the Lord calls Christians—to examine themselves at all times," said the Rev. David King of Christ Presbyterian Church, which is affiliated with the Presbyterian Orthodox Church.
Following Christ is a year-round, day-by-day effort, he said.
We ordinary pew potatoes shy violently when we hear the word "effort." We're happy if we can get to church on Sundays and behave decently on the six days in between
Aside from the obvious benefits, strengthening our spiritual fitness can have the added benefits of improving our relationships with others, improving our own mental health and making those Sunday trips to church more of a joy and less of a dutiful burden.
Local ministers offered suggestions for faith-based New Year's resolutions. We added some tips for fearful pew potatoes.
-- "As our eyes widened with wonder at Christmas time, I would like to resolve to keep them open, to recognize Jesus Christ in others," said the Rev. Steve Umhoefer of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Janesville. "It's another way of making Christmas last all year round."
Pew potato tip: Pick somebody easy first. See Christ in the person who delivers your mail or that slightly annoying lady who works in the cafeteria or the teen whose car speakers make your windows vibrate.
Don't start with governor What's-His-Name of Illinois who tried to shake down a Children's Hospital or the sibling you haven't spoken to in years. Start small, work up to the tough customers.
-- "Resolve to daily confess your sins and receive God's forgiveness," said the Rev. Samuel Bobby of Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church, Beloit.
Pew potato tip: For some, identifying their sins will be the biggest challenge. If you come to the end of the day and think your slate is clean, try a thoughtful re-reading of the Ten Commandments.
For example, it's been a long time since anyone worshiped Baal or Molech, the false gods against which early believers were warned. But today, we have other idols: Money's the big one. Alcohol, drugs and out-of-control consumerism are others.
For others, the biggest problem will be receiving God's forgiveness and to forgive themselves. In that case, try to remember the basic tenet of Christianity: Christ died for your sins.
Christ told people, "Go and sin no more."
He never said "Go and sin no more but carry the guilt around with you for the rest of your life."
-- "We encourage people at all times to spend time reading the word of God and spending time in prayer," said King of Christ Presbyterian Church. "If we want to grow as people, we need to spend time with the means God has given us to grow—his own words and prayer."
Bobby seconded that suggestion: "Resolve to study God's word."
Pew potato reading tip: If you're not in the habit of reading the Bible, start with the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Mark is the most action-based, but all of them include narratives.
In the Old Testament, try Genesis and Exodus, which are also narrative-based, and the psalms.
Beginners should avoid Numbers, which is the literary equivalent of somebody's family album—important, but incomprehensible out of context.
If you're still struggling, consider buying a study Bible.
Or try a different translation. Bibles using contemporary language are disconcerting to traditionalists but do a good job dissecting meaning.
For example, in the New King James version, Psalm 1 begins, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly."
The New Living Translation: "Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked.
And if that's not clear enough, try The Message: "How well God must like you—you don't hang out at the Sin Saloon."
Pew potato prayer tip: Paul advised the Thessalonians to "pray unceasingly." For the spiritually unsophisticated, he might have advised them to pray silently or out loud whenever and wherever they could: At stoplights, in traffic, in pointless meetings at work, while waiting to pick up your kids, on the treadmill at the gym.
Try, too, to make prayer a priority.
"There's plenty to distract us every day; we're busy people," King said. "It takes a deliberate prioritizing."
Blocking out quiet time for spiritual fitness will be good for your mental health, too. Ten minutes of quiet reflection will slow the world and put things in perspective.
-- "Resolve to hear God's word preached," Bobby said.
Yup, that means getting up on Sunday morning and, perhaps, leaving Wednesday night free for church services.
Pew potato tip: It's not always easy to deal with those petty pew politics that can make church-going so unpleasant.
But rest assured: All churches have a guy who's angry about the way the lawn is mowed; a lady who's upset about flower arrangements and a group of long-standing church members who think the youth group has too much fun.
And we haven't even gotten started on the folks who don't like ministries that involve the dirty, the different or the difficult.
It's best to see ourselves "as one sinner amidst many," Bobby said.
-- One final resolution: Keep trying.
"Resolutions should be year round," said the Rev. Donald Adams of Grace Independent Baptist Church in Brodhead. "Resolutions can be triggered at anytime."
It's a matter of watching for the "way God is working in your life," Adams said.
Perhaps you see a friend or a neighbor who has a need, and you reach out to them. Or try harder to be patient with the checkout girl, the driver in front of you or your spouse, who sometimes appears to be clueless.
Or simply look around at all the things and people for whom you are grateful and say, "Thanks."