Run, Jog, Walk, or Crawl: Setting the Pace for 2023
How do you plan to move forward during this first week of the new year? Will you charge ahead in an all-out sprint? Will you jog, taking time to observe that which is in front of you as well as that which is to your left or right? Will you really take your time and walk? Or, will you start 2023 like a newborn and just crawl?
Chances are we will do all of these at one time or another in the coming year because, as we know, the pace of life changes day-by-day, hour-by-hour, minute-by-minute. None of us can or should keep the same pace throughout the entire year. As we know from the Book of Ecclesiastes, there is a time for everything under heaven. While that famous passage does not mention running, jogging, walking, or crawling, we can infer that such instructions might just as well have been included.
The point of all of this is that we need to be prepared and to respond accordingly to whatever life throws our way. Sometimes, we have to sprint. Other times we can simply jog. Often, we can take our time and walk. And occasionally, either because of our situation or the situation we encounter, we have to crawl.
Regardless of the pace we set (or the one that life sets for us), we can take comfort in the fact that the Lord is always with us. There are several Scripture passages that affirm this, including Deuteronomy 31:6-8, which advises us to “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified…for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Even when we feel alone or deserted, He is always with us, and that should provide comfort, assurance, encouragement, hope, and peace.
Until we meet again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John