Pacing Yourself
Day 2—Lent on the Run—When going fast doesn't actually take you far
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…What gain have the workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
— Ecclesiastes 3:1, 9-11
Back in late January, a pastor I follow on Substack shared a note that caught my attention.
When you run a marathon the temptation is always to go out too fast. You see the crowd running ahead and so you try and keep up, only to slow down by mile ten and completely crash by mile 20.
Run your pace. Find your community. Work together to keep going.
We need you up and running all four years, not just the first four weeks.
(Also, stay hydrated and don’t forget to stretch!)
— The Digital Ministry
As someone who loves when pastors use running as a metaphor for life, I was immediately intrigued. It made me reflect on the importance of pacing.
Life often feels like a whirlwind. When we start something new, it’s tempting to race ahead, fueled by excitement or adrenaline. But as in running, energy spent too quickly is energy we don’t have for later. In distance running, pacing is essential. Many coaches emphasize “negative splits,” a strategy where you start slower and finish faster. This approach ensures strength for the finish.
Similarly, life requires thoughtful pacing. While there are moments that call for bursts of energy, we can’t sustain that pace indefinitely. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” This passage highlights the rhythms of time and how we must navigate them wisely.
Our time and energy are finite, gifts from God to steward well. Overextending ourselves can lead to burnout, leaving us unable to serve others or live fully into God’s calling. Instead, we’re called to balance our efforts with rest and care, ensuring we remain healthy in body, mind, and spirit.
By learning to pace ourselves, we align with God’s design for life—a life that honors seasons of work, rest, and renewal. In doing so, we live more faithfully, using our time and energy for God’s Kin-dom work with endurance and joy.
AMEN!
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