September 23, 2024
Run The Race, Keep The Pace
No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits because his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 2 Timothy 2:4
Last Saturday, it was the day that I set out to run 13.1 miles. It’s not a marathon, it’s not a sprint, it was somewhere in the middle. I spent time on inclines, went over some bridges, and found myself in a good position. I had found some people around me going at a similar pace. This lasted for about a mile. Then, at mile 4, I had a moment when people suddenly began passing me. I looked to see that we were 4.24 miles in. These people had come out of nowhere with wind beneath their wings. I thought we still had a way to go, to be running at that speed. I was a bit impressed while confused for a moment. After the 4th person passed all of us in our group, I realized that they were running a different race. So, their pace was different. While I still had about 9 miles to go, they were under 2 miles before they met the finish line.
This was a moment that I reflected on for about 4 more miles and about 7 days later. As I am writing this, I am humbled and thankful for this moment.
If I had sped up to keep up with them, I would have burned out very shortly. And if I would have compared myself for too long, I may have messed up my level of confidence. I had to both recognize and accept that they were simply running a different race. I knew I had to keep my eyes looking forward + up. I had to focus on my race. I had to keep the pace that I felt comfortable with as I knew the distance I had left.
In some seasons, the pace may be faster or slower than in others. My encouragement for all of us is to keep the pace that is our race set by the One who has already gone before us. Your best may look different than someone else’s best.
I found my desire to rather go slow, glean all that may be set before me than go fast and miss the mark. May we find the meaning in slowing down.
There will be people that come along the way that push you to be better. There was a guy that I was pacing myself off of. He was strong, steady, and pushing his daughter in a wheelchair. Running in awe, I was inspired to keep putting one foot in front of the other just as he was with her. Stay near to those who sharpen you and inspire you.
There may be some that carry you for a season, that helps you put one foot right in front of the other. There may be people that you have prayed for in this season + that God has placed right beside you. Stay near to those people. There may be people in our workspaces who bring a fresh wind. I encourage you to lean in to those people.
I encourage you to run with those people, to walk with those friends, to align your feet with them. I encourage you to see that you are uniquely running a race set out for you. You are called by name, and so are they. Beautiful + Different. Both made in the image of God and counted. Cheer one another on, encourage one another, and cry with each other. And for such a time as this to be all that God has called YOU to be.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:14
Caparison is the leader of discontentment and a thief of joy. May we not limit or distract ourselves from the call on someone else’s race. So, when the tide comes, and you look to the right and left of you, I encourage you to shift your focus back to what is in front of you. I encourage you to look up at the One who is walking + running this race with you.
As it is ultimately about the One, we ought to be following. If we want to go further, we may have to slow it down a bit. And that is okay. When we slow down, may we allow ourselves to slow down for the things that matter. Slow down for the people we love and the ones walking with us.
I believe God is asking me to do two things today
1. Keep my eyes looking up
2. Keep running the race set out before me
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7
Sometimes in life, we may not know the distance we are running, but we often sense our threshold. I have found myself right near my threshold or even over it at certain times. I know my heart is calling me to slow it down in these moments. The distance may be unknown, while we run with a known Father who knows what our very soul needs. We often need rest. So, when life seems too busy, slow it down. When it’s so noisy, slow it down. And come close to Him again.
Seasons may call for walking, and others may call for sprinting with all we have left in us. Just keep the pace aligned with the One who is setting the course. He is not in a hurry, + He is doing a new thing within each of us, willing to be in step.
We run with purpose
As we run with purpose, the course can and often will look different. We must both see and accept that we are running a different race than others. And once we see and accept, then we may run in freedom towards the upward call. Find your pace in Christ and run in freedom. May we also then encourage others while they run + to find their pace. Our races may align with others’ paces. Run together. Run well together. May we just not compare ourselves to one next to us as we are aiming to please the One who put us in this race.
I am hoping and praying you all find your bit of rest this week and in the days to come. I pray that you find your pace and run your race well.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. Colossians 3:23
You got this,
Mak