Slow and Steady Wins the Race

“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” ~Hebrews 12:1

I wonder if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by a pending project. I want to read this stack of books, start this diet and exercise program, learn to play pickleball, etc. The problem isn’t that there are many things to do; it’s the process of getting from start to finish that often feels overwhelming. For some, the prospect of reading a stack of ten or fifteen books can be so daunting that they never crack open the first one. 

The daily discipline of private worship — praying to God, reading His Word, and meditating on the truths therein — can feel like this sometimes. The thought of making your way through the whole Bible — thirty-one thousand one hundred and two verses — can be intimidating. Then there's the reality of frequent distractions and occasional misses. I can hardly get through a prayer without losing my train of thought. Why bother? If I miss a day or two of reading, now I'm forever behind!

Are you familiar with the story of the race between the tortoise and the hare? Surprisingly (if you don't already know the ending), the tortoise won the race, and he did so by plodding along slowly and steadily and not getting overwhelmed by the length of the course or the speed of the hare. We need this same mentality in the spiritual disciplines of the Christian life.

As one pastor now in heaven has said, the Christian life is one of a long, and often slow, obedience in the same direction. It’s about making the commitment to die to sin daily and pursue righteousness in all areas of life. It’s about being conformed into the image of Christ by one degree to the next. We mustn’t grow overwhelmed about the great distance between us and Christ today; rather, we should walk confidently as He promises, by His Spirit, to make us more and more like Himself tomorrow… and on into eternity. 

So back to private worship. I want to encourage each of you to simply take the first step (if you’re not already practicing this daily habit of grace). Take the first, slow, steady step of waking up, grabbing your Bible, praying to God, and reading His Word. There are innumerable ways you might do this, from a Genesis thru Revelation plan, to a deep study of the Psalms or Gospels. The point is simply to start. It may be advisable to do this with a journal handy for you to write down your thoughts and meditations. In any case, once again, my encouragement is to slowly and steadily start the race, knowing that the finish line is already promised to those who begin. 

Dear Christian, don’t be overwhelmed by the sheer distance you have left to go. Don’t hesitate out of fear that you’ll fail from time to time. Don’t hold back your grateful obedience to God, who tells us in Hebrews to run the race. Rather, be grateful that God has given us prayer, His Word, and quiet contemplation that we might move inch-by-inch closer to Christ, which is the longing and joy of all who wait for His appearing.

Rev. Kyle W. A. Lockhart, Pastor