Warren Boettcher’s message this past Sunday was so helpful and encouraging on many fronts.  I just wanted to share one little bit of what stood out to me.  The phrase “pace yourself” keeps coming to me this week.  I’ve heard the Christian walk be described as a marathon before, but this description is even more helpful–”a long obedience in the same direction.”  At times I’ve explained a certain set of circumstances I am in and a good friend of mine has reminded me to pace myself.  In an effort to figure out how to obey or to get someone else to obey quickly, I grow anxious, fretful, angry, unhappy, tired . . . I wear myself out from the inside out.  If I simply remember to pace myself, the long view causes me to slow down and realize things might not change for a while and that is okay.  God is still with me.  God is in control.  He has me right on track with where He wants me.  This may take a while.  Why do I want a different pace?  My motivation for obedience makes all the difference in the world!

Responding to his love and grace is the only way to true or what I call “gospelized” obedience, because all other obedience always degenerates into penance or trying to avoid punishment.  Other forms of obedience simply don’t measure up, because love for God isn’t the motive.  And if love isn’t the motive, your obedience will always be motivated by love for yourself. (Comforts from the Cross by Elyse Fitzpartick)

. . . let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.  (Hebrews 12:1b, 2)

Looking to Christ and being convinced of His love will help us all to pace ourselves for this great race of endurance.  May greater delight rise as we consider Christ, who is the only one who can sustain us.