I was motoring up the street on the uphill portion of my prayer walk; that’s when I saw them. It was also in that moment the Lord whispered something simple, yet quite profound…
Most days of the week I go for a 3.5 km prayer walk from our house down the mountain to the lake and then back up again. I love it. I have finally found a way to get regular exercise and regular prayer time. I love the time with the Lord, I love the scenery, and I love the fact that I’m getting sustained exercise – which has been a key factor in losing 20 pounds this past year.
I set a fast pace in order to get my heart rate up. I average 5-6 km/hr according to my handy iPhone speedometer app. It’s the fast pace that makes all the difference. If I don’t get my heart rate up I will not see the physical benefits that exercise can create.
So, back to what I saw on the uphill portion of my walk. I glanced up and saw two large people going for a walk as well, but going very slowly. I found myself beginning to day dream about them…
How long have they been doing this? Were they just starting a regular walking regimen? Is this perhaps something they have done together for a very long time? Have they been doing this to try to lose some weight and are wondering why they haven’t lost any yet?
In a nanosecond my mind then skipped to other people I have heard mention how they have been exercising, but just not getting the results. It was then I heard the Lord’s whisper,
“It’s about the pace.”
What do you mean by “pace”?
A download of thoughts began to fill my mind. Pace determines the outcome of the race. Runners, joggers, walkers, and exercisers all have the same choice:
Will you cruise and coast, or press on and pursue?
If we choose to cruise and coast we will see no benefit from the time we put into exercising. However, if we up the pace and choose to press on and pursue a goal we will reap the rewards. Coasting and cruising does not create personal growth. Pressing on and pursuing a goal creates much growth.
If you choose to create a fast pace to get your heart rate up, you will see positive physical results. Keep upping your pace and the physical rewards continue to grow. If I set a fast pace and do my best to continue to press on with that pace I will reap the rewards of my exercise. If I choose to coast and cruise on my walk I will not only not make further gains, but I will lose the gains I have already realized.
Now, let’s look at this concept as it pertains to our relationship with Jesus. Are you coasting and cruising in your faith, or are you pressing on and pursuing Him wholeheartedly? It’s all about the pace. It has been said that half-hearted Christians are the most miserable people of all. They know enough about God to feel guilty, but haven’t gone far enough with Christ to be happy.
In other words they haven’t pressed on, they haven’t pursued God wholeheartedly – their pace is slow, timid and undemanding. They are cruising and coasting, and miserable because of it.
Jesus has invited us to pursue Him wholeheartedly. He has called us to press on toward His purposes in us and through us. That takes effort. That demands energy, time and attention from us. It’s about the pace. A half-hearted pace will not reap the results we desire. A half-hearted effort does not reap wholehearted results.
Let’s choose to set a pace in our pursuit of Jesus that will reap the results He desires for us. Let’s press on to take hold of that for which Christ took hold of us. Let’s pursue Christ wholeheartedly to win the prize for which He has called us.
May we understand the importance of pace and press on in our pursuit of Christ and His Kingdom in and through us.
How’s your pace?
Philippians 3:13b, 14
“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (The Message)
“You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally. I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.”
Isaiah 43:22
“Yet you have not called on me, Jacob, you have not wearied yourselves for me, Israel.”