I’m so excited to have author Lisa Preuett guest post today. As some of you know, I completed my first half-marathon in April. I learned so many lessons about life and faith from training.
When I found out Lisa wrote a devotional for runners that captures the parallels between running and the Christian life, I was quick to order her book on Amazon. I know her words will inspire you whether you are a runner or not.
Guest post by Lisa Preuett
Isaiah 40:31 “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Many runners can run continuously from start to finish without ever slowing down. But that strategy doesn’t fit everyone. When training for my first half-marathon, I’d gotten up to four miles without stopping. My heart soared with pride, but my knees seared with pain! After getting advice from seasoned runners, I attempted a strategy from expert, Jeff Galloway. His premise is that if you incorporate short walks in between spurts of running, you’ll avoid exhaustion and injury. It also conserves your body’s resources and allows for quicker recovery.
Now I run for five minutes and walk for one minute. After falling into this routine, I realized two crucial things. First, this strategy gave my knees a rest in between my spurts of running. I was able to increase my mileage each week without any further discomfort. No pain! Second, I realized these short breaks of walking gave me a mental break. Instead of thinking, Wow—I’ve got to run multiple miles today, it was easier to think, Okay—I can run for the next five minutes; but then I’ll get a break. I embraced this strategy! Much more doable than running full force without stopping.
Who are we to think we can keep running and not slow down on this journey of faith we find ourselves on? We falsely think we can keep going at a break-neck pace, but God designed us to intentionally slow down at specific times on our race of faith. One minute walks paint a picture of our time to be still with God. Life is often weary. We feel as if we’ll faint at the next announcement of bad news. We are so easily overcome with stress, worry and anxiety. But when we continue at full steam with no intention of slowing down, we feel overcome with exhaustion and pain we simply can’t handle.
We must be intentional in carving out time with Jesus.
Time to rest. Time to be renewed and refreshed. Time to just be still in His presence.
We’re called to soar like an eagle, not rage mindlessly like a hamster on a wheel. Our quiet time with Him prepares us to go back out on the course of life and keep going. Our time in prayer keeps us connected with Him, allowing us to breathe easier when life unexpectedly shakes us up.
This whole run/walk approach gives us a new perspective on how we ought to view the challenges that seem insurmountable at different seasons of life. When it says in Isaiah that we soar on wings like an eagle, it means we get an eagle’s perspective. Just as an eagle soars above the storm and sees the bigger picture, we too can get that same perspective if our hope is truly in God. So when I get overwhelmed with a long-term challenge facing me, I can choose to run and not grow weary. I can choose to walk and not faint. Why? Because my hope is in Him.
READY? Is there an area of your life where God is asking you to slow down? Where do you need to walk with God instead of running in your own strength? Take time to be still before Him so He can give you the eagle’s perspective.
GET SET. Proverbs 4:12 “When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.”
GO! Lord Jesus, please help me to slow down and be still before you. Forgive me for the times I haven’t paused in your presence and sought your help. I humbly ask you to renew my strength. When I’m weary and faint, help me to thank you for the hope you’ve promised me. Amen
Lisa Preuett is a follower of Jesus, wife and mom of two. An avid runner, she’s completed multiple races from 5K to full marathon. Actively involved in women’s ministry at Southeast Christian Church, she thrives on encouraging others in their faith. She resides in Taylorsville, KY. You can connect with her at www.reststopforthesoul.com
Author of Embracing The Race: 40 Devotions for the Runner’s Soul (Get it HERE)
Part of the proceeds from the book are donated to WaterStep, which is a nonprofit that puts clean water purification systems into developing countries. (so purchasing the book will bring encouragement to your soul and clean water for someone’s body! ?)
Thank you for this message! I need to slow down. Lately, I’ve had a lot on my plate. Thank you for the gentle reminder that our hope is in Him.
Love how you were able to “gospelize” running. Our relationship with the Lord is the only fuel for glorifying Him.
Amen! Our relationship with the Lord is our fuel. So true!
Hitting ministry full force this last year has nearly killed me! I loved what I was doing, but I could not keep up my pace. I was draining myself and taking no time to refuel. Once I was to the point of a complete breakdown, I took that quiet time with God and what a blessing it has been! I love the walk/run example! Such a great visual for our day to day lives!
I’m your neighbor at #Moments of Hope today!
I’m so glad you were able to take some time to rest. Recognizing that and taking time to slow down is hard when. you are so used to that fast pace. But once we do, it gives us the fuel to keep going. Summer, thank you for stopping by from Lori’s link-up!
AMEN! Thank you so much sister; I am not good at slowing down and truly being still before the Lord in my heart. <3 This was such a powerful exhortation. Meditating on this today!
I know! It’s so hard to slow down in this fast paced world. I appreciated Lisa’s encouragement.
Loved this perspective of running for awhile and then resting, and still being able to meet the goal. Such a great thing to remember as we often power through life. We have to rest to reach the end! Thank you for sharing here!
Yes, I love that we can run and rest and still meet the goal.