Staying in Step with God: Embrace the Race Without Running off to Tomorrow or Getting Stuck in Yesterday
Last month we talked about running the race set before us. Not OUR race - or agenda, or desired outcome - but the one God has set before us.
Today let’s explore what it means to stay in step with God as we run our race.
Do you ever find yourself running ahead of God and suddenly you realize you’re sprinting alone without His guidance?
Unfortunately, this happens to me. I’ll catch a glimpse of the direction to head and quickly I’m off running into autonomy once again!
Or do you notice yourself settled into what he last revealed to you and now you’re trailing behind.
For some of us this could be a couple of days, weeks, years or even decades. No matter the length of time, we settled into that space, grew comfortable and unintentionally dozed off.
Restlessness, like drooling, startles us from our nap. We look around filled with fear, like a child in a department store who’s wandered off and lost sight of their mom. We too don’t spot our Father.
So how do we stay in step? Or find our way back?
First let’s identify some ways we veer off the path:
Operating on autopilot/default mode – Monotony can slip into our days unnoticed. We turn on the coffee, look at our phone, hop in the shower, grab a granola bar, and become victims of our routine. We drift unintentionally and disengage from the present moment.
Self-Sufficiency – Comfort in our likes and dislikes make it easy for us to slip into the illusion we live solely for own satisfaction and perhaps that of our family. Self-reliance becomes a badge of honor (a.k.a. pride). We rely on ourselves to meet our own needs, our pleasures, our validation. This one’s a bit tricky because it can work for a LONG time…until it doesn’t.
Lack of clarity - Not knowing what to do or where you’re going leads to drifting any which way the undercurrents of the environment or culture take you.
Over committing – Saying yes to too many things may prevent you from being available for what IS yours to do.
Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:15-16
Isolation – You don’t feel comfortable processing or talking about what’s really happening in your life, so not sharing with others becomes your norm. This can happen at home alone or in crowded rooms with a full schedule. It’s likely you started to believe the lie that no one wants to hear your story or even worse that no one will understand. Silently YOU slip into the shadows, while the shell version of yourself steps up and you barely recognize yourself anymore. It’s like you’ve joined the witness protection program.
Living in your head, detached from emotion and body – You ignore physical signs from your body and distance yourself from emotions, especially those seen as undesirable. Instead, you function solely from rational thought.
Those were just a few ways we can lose sight of our course, let’s turn toward ways to avoid the detours above.
Stay Engaged in the Moment – Engaging in the moment is like flexing your core muscles. If you were to tighten your stomach right now, your core would be alert. You can apply this same focus to your heart, soul, and mind to help yourself stay engaged. God will help you remember to stay aware of his presence through the day, just ask!
I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the LORD more than watchmen wait for the morning. Ps 130:5-6
Be Intentional – Be purposeful about taking yourself off auto pilot. Take a different way home. Switch up places to sit at the dinner table. Light a candle as a reminder of God’s presence. Engage all your senses. Relax your body. Take a deep breath. Set a reminder to pause.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. Col 3:23
Take a Risk in Community – Connect with a safe friend and share a part of yourself that you usually keep hidden. In our writing group, we’ve found that being vulnerable almost always leads to a rewarding outcome. Take the leap, even if it scares you!
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me…For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corin 12:9-10
Step out of your comfort zone – The comfort zone may secretly be a compromise zone. Challenge yourself to do something uncomfortable every day. This practice will stretch your muscles, so that you’ll be more receptive to the opportunities God sends your way.
If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. Matt 10:39 NLT
Accountability – Want to make it harder for yourself? Go alone. Instead, find an accountability partner, group, or coach (I’m a certified life coach by the way). It will take a little courage but will result in you going beyond your individual limits. There is something supernatural about having a running buddy on this spiritual journey.
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Prov 27:17 NIV
Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16
Be mindful of your emotions, senses and physical cues - These are gifts from God and provide valuable insights. Ignoring their messages can cause rifts, ailments, and avoidable pain. Look to the Psalms and learn from David. He would come before the Lord honestly and the Lord was faithful and guided him back to a right size of God. God > our feelings. That doesn’t mean we ignore our feelings it means we engage with the Lord about our feelings.
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Prov 14:30 NIV
Jesus reiterates what was written in Isaiah 29:13 – These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules. Matt 15:8-9 NIV
Leave space in your schedule – When you fill your day to the brim, your agenda becomes an idol. Leaving some margin allows you to be available for unexpected opportunities and to listen for His guidance.
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Matt 16:26 ESV
Let go of Perfection – Rather than focusing on perfection, turn your attention towards what you HAVE accomplished. Take time to celebrate little wins along the way. Nothing inhibits my ability to hear God’s guidance more than striving to have everything perfect. Perfection becomes the idol. Make it a practice to intentionally do something imperfectly.
Definition of Success – Pause and go inside with this question, “God, what does success look like in this situation?” Many times, we tend to the race we are running with the world’s view of success.
Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant…Matt 20:26 NIV
Blessed are the poor in spirit…those who mourn…the meek…those who are persecuted because of righteousness…when people insult you…because of me. Matt 5:3-11 NIV
Experiencing JOY happens when you stay in step with God, and I want that for you!
As humans we want the formula, but God doesn’t want to us drink from a mud puddle when a fresh spring is available. He desires relationship.
Change begins with a single decision. Will you run your race with intention?
To assist you, I’ve created a WORKSHEET containing ideas and thought-provoking questions designed to strengthen your relationship with God.
Side Note: The part of me that is inclined toward formulas wants to apologize to the part of you that seeks them as well. No formula included…Download the worksheet HERE.
Lastly, let me encourage you not to give up. The enemy sees that you desire to be intentional and will attempt to thwart your plans, especially at first. Don’t let him discourage you!
Progress may seem microscopic, especially in the beginning.
Instead of looking for headway, look for Jesus. He is likely at the aid station on race day, handing out water with the biggest encouraging smile on his face.
As you make full eye contact with Him, you see Him stepping out of the aid station to run alongside you. He hydrates you with Living Water.
And with Joy in your heart, you press on.
One last thing to keep in mind: His mercies are new EVERY morning. So, if you strayed off course yesterday, know that He’s waiting at the aid station ready to meet your gaze once again.
Til next time.
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If you have a friend that you think would appreciate these words, perhaps you could bless them by sharing.
Here a few other Hope*Writer friends with thoughts about tomorrow:
When God Speaks to You from Tomorrow by Sharla Hallett
https://sharlahallett.com/when-god-speaks-to-you-from-tomorrow/
Start Tomorrow Now: The Secret to Achieving Your Biggest Goals by Ashley Olivine
https://www.ashleyolivine.com/start-tomorrow-now/
Photo credits - Both photos with water bottles: from Canva. Mountain Top - Photo by Kalen Emsley on Unsplash
Interested in learning more about coaching, please email me at lisa@lisacrowdercoaching.com
Here’s what a client had to say:
"Lisa has a gift of offering up safe space to explore your life and what God is doing within it. Her kindness and thoughtfulness make it easy to feel comfortable sharing your heart and stay open to what God wants to do. When you talk to her, you'll immediately recognize how seriously she takes the role of coach and stepping in as a faithful witness of someone's life. If you're looking for a place to feel seen, heard, and encouraged to fall deeper into the plans and dreams God has for you, look no further! Lisa will be a wonderful guide.
When asked, “What did you find most valuable?” I think the outside perspective and having someone else be able to connect different dots/pick up on themes was really helpful! Your reflections helped me identify things going on in my mind/heart I wasn't totally aware of before.