God's Pace or Mine?

Isaiah 40:31 “I am one of those that hope in the Lord my God, and He will renew my strength. I will soar on wings like eagles; I will run and not grow weary; I will walk and not be faint.

Next, we have run and walk. Check out how this passage lays out running and connects it to Jesus Christ.

Read Hebrews 12:2-3 “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

God has set a course or race for us to run. We aren’t competing against anyone else and not even our personal best: that would lend itself to performance to gain God's love and acceptance, which is simply not the truth. He set this course because He enjoys the intimacy of being with you. He has always enjoyed and loved being with you.

God laid out the perfect race and course for you because he knows you, and He has plans to strengthen you in your race through the power of the Holy Spirit!

Can you see that in the race, there are times we need to soar over life’s challenges, there are times to run (hurry, pick up the pace, etc.), and then there are times and seasons to walk? Run and walk are all about His desired pace for the course, not yours. Did you receive that? You don’t have to run when He is asking you to walk or even sit still. There is grace for the race.

Lastly, God chose two words in this scripture to say the same thing, weary from the run and faint from the walk. Two different Hebrew words but they mean the same thing.

No matter the pace, God gives us the grace!

Life has many different rhythms, paces, obstacles, and challenges, but the Spirit of God promises never to leave or forsake us. No matter the challenge, God sovereignly empowered you, your spouse, and your family for your unique race.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, thank You that You set the pace for my life. I choose to connect fully with your rhythm instead of my pace. I surrender my life, marriage, family, and our pace to you. I know now that you are here to carry me as a loving Father when I need to soar up or over a mountain. It no longer matters whether I am running or walking; I can trust you for your strength instead of relying on mine. Thank you for inviting us into the transformed life in Christ Jesus.

Action Step

Today I want you to choose another couple you can send this seven-day devotion and ask them if they want to do this with you. At ElevateHim Ministries, we choose daily to encourage others in their faith journey. As you reach out and invite someone into the same hope and love you received these past few days, you become the hands and feet of Jesus. Your action step in someone’s life can alter their life forever. Step out in boldness and soar on the wings of eagles by becoming a person that encourages others in the power of Jesus!