Walking, Running, Soaring, Dancing

 Running

“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1).

“Run in such a way as to get the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24).

These are the verses I often hear when someone is teaching about following Jesus. Run. Use all your energy. Push yourself. Anything less would be slacking off. Show your excitement and enthusiasm.

Most of the time that admonition just makes me feel discouraged and hopeless. I’m not often capable of running. I look back on my life and see my own slowness, especially during times of suffering. If life is a race, I’m like one of those marathon runners who struggles over the finish line hours after the winners have all gone home.

I tend to think that my negative reaction to the preaching and teaching about running is mostly based on my low energy level. But then I turn to God’s Word and realize that my gut feeling about slowing down as we follow Him has a lot of biblical support.

Walking

God walked in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8). He promised to walk among His people if they remained faithful to Him (Leviticus 26:12). He describes His followers as walking with Him (e.g. Genesis 5:22, 6:9), commands His people to walk in His ways (e.g. Deuteronomy 5:33, 1 John 1:7), and promises them blessings when they do (1Kings 3:14).

Why do we stress the verses that say to run and practically ignore the idea of walking? Maybe we’re simply imitating the culture around us. A culture that tells us to go for the gusto, break free from all our shackles, make an exuberant bucket list and check off every item one by one. A culture that no longer values patience and persistence.

Jesus refers to running in many ways, but never as an illustration for following Him. He describes pagans as running after the wrong things (Matthew 6:32). He assures us that those who know Him will run away from a false shepherd (John 10:5). He warns us about running after those who claim to come in His name, but who don’t actually know Him (Luke 17:23). John urges his readers to continue in Jesus’ teaching, rather than running ahead (2 John 9).

Obviously, running in itself isn’t wrong, or Paul wouldn’t encourage us to do it. Maybe the problem lies in our tendency to lose control or go our own way once we get our momentum up. It’s harder to follow God’s minute-by-minute leading when we’re moving too fast. Harder to avoid an obstacle or turn a sudden corner. Easier to crash. And more deadly when we do.

Soaring

Many years ago, I heard a sermon on Isaiah 40:31, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Prior to that morning, every lesson I’d ever heard on this verse stressed renewal, soaring, running, no weariness, no fainting.

That teaching appealed to me. I desperately wanted all those blessings, especially during my first depressive episode, when I had very little physical or emotional strength. I treasured this promise for the hope it provided.

But this sermon broke the usual mold. This time the pastor stressed that we all have different experiences at different times in our lives. Sometimes we’re soaring and sometimes we’re running. But there are also times when all we can do is walk. God promises to be with us and help us even then. I liked this pastor’s approach. He had a heart for those who were hurting.

I have some negative thoughts related to walking, though. When I hear that word “persevering,” my mind doesn’t leap to Hebrews 12:1 and envision the joy of running freely. Instead, my mental image tends to be one of trudging along, painfully grinding through my trials, dragging my feet, putting up with whatever’s happening, but longing for things to get better.

Dancing

I want to run, I want to soar, right now. I want to dance, as David did before the ark of God (2 Samuel 6:14). I want the exhilaration that comes with running and soaring and dancing. But I have to stop and ask myself: Am I seeking God? Or am I seeking that exhilaration? Am I just looking for an emotional experience? Or do I long for the true joy of the Spirit, which cannot be manufactured by my own efforts but grows like fruit as I walk with Him?

I’d like to think that even when my body is struggling to make it through the day, my spirit can still be active. I can run and soar and dance on the inside. Sometimes that happens, but not very often.

When I’m physically weary, my mind also slows down. And my spirit. I have a hard time focusing on God’s promises and His character and the amazing things He’s done for me throughout my new life. Prayer takes an extra effort. He keeps me from fainting, and there are occasional breakthroughs when my spirit soars in spite of Satan’s attacks. But I’m usually just crawling along, even on the inside.

Waiting

There are also times when He asks us to stand still. Several psalms talk about waiting on the Lord, as in Psalm 37:7, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” Isaiah says, “Blessed are all who wait for him” (verse 30:18). Some translations use the word “wait,” rather than “hope,” in Isaiah 40:31 (above). The waiting comes before the soaring and running. It even seems to be a condition for being able to soar on wings like eagles, to run and not grow weary, and to walk without fainting.

Father, help me to wait when I need to, and to follow You step by slow step when I’d much rather break free and run. Help me to take those steps with joy, rather than trudging along gloomily. Help me to resist the world’s view that my life should be one of constant, excited motion. And please, oh please, let me dance.