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In “3 ways to keep pace without burning out,” [add a link] I mentioned that the way you begin greatly impacts the way you will finish. Every step along the way impacts the end result.
The apostle Paul talked about finishing the race: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). He fought, he finished, and he kept the faith.
Fighting the good fight and keeping the faith are integral to finishing the race. It is a fight to keep going. You’re going to hit a wall, hit a struggle, hit an unforeseen circumstance and want to throw in the towel. Your flesh is going to say give in, give up, change career path. However, don’t back down from the fight of faith. We all want to finish well, and how you pace yourself during the race will be a good predictor in how well you finish.
In long-distance running races there are people who run with signs displaying a certain time per mile known as “pace setters.” Their entire job in the race is to run exactly that pace. They set the pace and if you follow them, that is the pace you will run.
We need pacesetters in our life to help us maintain a sustainable pace. Here are a couple of pace-setting reminders:
1. You’re not in this for you.
God alone gets the glory. You bring Him glory best when you are an example of a healthy disciple. You are not here for your glory or your fame, but to make much of the Name of Jesus and bring glory to God. You are a steward of the good gifts God has given, and any good steward brings glory to their Lord.
2. Your strength is not from you, it is a product of God’s work and grace in your life.
When you find yourself working more from your strength than His, you’re on an unsustainable trajectory. This is the pace that will lead you to a place you never thought you’d go, whether burnout, self-destruction or sin.
Your ability to keep going, to keep fighting, to keep the faith, comes from the strength and power of the Holy Spirit inside of you. Allow God to set your pace. His pace is not slow, as some count slowness. His plan is better than your plan or my plan, so trust His plan and pace.
How can you sustain the pace, finish the race well and keep the faith? Ask yourself good questions, such as:
Ask others about how they see your pace; this will give you the clearest answers.
When the answers are different than you hoped, take the opportunity to change up your schedule and pace and fight the good fight of faith.
Photo source: istock
 | Ben Marshall is a Pastor at Pathway Church in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He works with teenagers and young adults. He is passionate about leadership and raising up the next generation of biblical leaders. He is a blogger, guitar player and sports enthusiast. Ben currently resides in Beaver Falls with his wife Connie and their two daughters, Aliya and Sophie Learn More » |
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