Accessing ‘The Slight Edge’ through Jesus Christ

The university I attended required every student to pass a class called “Fitness for Life.” You had to run 1.5 miles within a certain timeframe. I took the class the first semester to get it out of my way. I had been a swimmer and was fairly active, but never a serious athlete. With asthma and a high elevation, I had to walk most of that first run.

So, my roommate Lynette and I started getting up at six every morning and going for a three-mile run. We enjoyed the dark, quiet campus as we ran through it, ending with a welcoming sunrise. I learned to love those runs, and more than that, I loved how good I felt afterward--something like alignment in my brain, body and soul. I have kept on exercising daily since then. I have never run a marathon--the farthest I have run is five miles, but daily I ran three miles, or swam, or did aerobics, or cycled, and during the Alaska winter, I hop on my Nordic track or treadmill for my morning vigil.

What does exercise matter if I never did anything big and exciting with it? That’s where ‘the slight edge’ comes in. In his book “The Slight Edge: Turning Simple Disciplines into Massive Success,” author Jeff Olson asserts that if you do the basic important things regularly, it will give you a more than a slight edge. My daughter’s college professor taught that the people who get the most long-term health benefits out of exercise are those who exercise 30 minutes a day for 30 years. That’s me. I believe I have avoided obesity, diabetes, and have found joy in activity from my daily vigil—even if it’s on the exercise machine.

In the New Testament study guide “Come, Follow Me” it says “Perhaps you know people who never seem to lose their faith, no matter what happens in their lives. They may remind you of the five wise virgins in the Savior’s parable (see Matthew 25:1–13). What you may not see are their diligent efforts to strengthen their testimonies of the truth. We must all seek diligently to strengthen our testimonies because, as the foolish virgins learned, we cannot borrow conversion from anyone else.” These ongoing spiritual efforts can lead to spiritual strength over time. Those who have peace, purpose, and an internal sense of guidance do the daily work to develop those traits. And what is the daily work?

My friend Susanne has that constant sense of peace and guidance. I noticed when I was visiting her home that her scriptures were out on her table; she had a King James version of the Bible, a Hebrew Bible, a New Testament study guide, and other study aids laid open on the table as well. I understood that her deep sense of guidance comes at least partly from her daily scripture study.

Do you think to pray? We get so busy, sometimes we forget to take a moment to kneel and ask the Lord for his guidance, while we thank him for his grace and love. When I’m visiting my parents’ home, I am grateful to hear them pray for every one of us, our spouses and children every night. Do I fly on the wings of my parents’ prayers? I know I do.

Did you know that Martin Luther King Day is officially “Martin Luther King Day of Service?” He taught, “Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love” (thekingcenter.org). Service brings us closer to God. After all, the entire focus of Jesus Christ’s life was to bring us back to God through his example, teachings, and sacrifice. The path he showed us was truly a path of service.

Following the teachings and example of Jesus Christ can give us “the slight edge” in life. I have had colleagues ask me why I’m so calm. My calmness is not my own, but rather an extension of the peace and goodness of Jesus Christ’s grace as I try to obey his word, follow his example, love as he loved, and serve as he served. Taking the opportunity to study about him, learn his teachings, and be guided through his love gives us access to his peace. The peace that “passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) is a “slight edge” indeed.

Beth Wright and her husband Kerry have raised their four children in the Matanuska-Susitna valley and find great joy in being members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.