Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)
There are persons you walk with, such as young children, who are running ahead, sometimes too far, and need to be slowed down. Others you walk with seem to be lagging behind, and you wonder why they can’t walk beside you. Whether they are running ahead or falling behind, it becomes difficult to be in conversation. It is an art to walk with someone by keeping pace with each other, sensing when the two of you need to slow down or speed up or pause.
How do you do as far as keeping pace with the Spirit of God? Do you run ahead? Do you lag behind? If so, it makes it difficult to communicate. Stay in pace with Him. This journey is a relationship with an ongoing conversation while traveling.
Our morning and evening quiet times with God are important, and it is good to be still and have fellowship with God, to reflect, learn, be nourished, renew our faith, and receive guidance. But you can also relate as you go, as companions on a journey. This is critical in our faith development, learning to walk with Him, not running ahead, not dragging behind. Keeping the pace may sometimes tax our energy when God is on the move. But sometimes, keeping the pace may mean slowing down a bit.
Let us learn to travel at God’s pace. That gives us the opportunity to see what he sees. He observes the beauty of his creation, and so should we. He hears the cries of people in need, and so should we. He is also aware of our needs on the journey. We can be so busy that we forget to care for ourselves
My wife and I attended a conference by Drs. Francis and Judith MacNutt, well known in healing prayer ministry circles. Francis said they were leading a week-long conference once, and during an afternoon where there was a long break of free time, he and his wife decided to play tennis with some old friends. One conference attendee apparently noticed this and later confronted them about playing tennis during such a serious conference with people trying to learn from them. I believe God enjoyed watching them play tennis! They knew how to keep pace with God, including those times of refreshing and renewal.
Sometimes God’s expectations seem too hard, but he doesn’t think of it that way. He will push you when he needs to. However, he is not trying to punish you, he is working his agenda. He believes in you. You are in partnership together in the Kingdom business. That means traveling at his pace – working, resting, talking, playing, and making a difference in the world – all at his pace.
Have a blessed day!
Chaplain Mark