Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Psalm 119:133

When I was young, I had a habit of playing what my parents called, ‘nervous music.’ When our family was getting ready to attend a special event, I was often the first one ready. Coming downstairs before anyone else, I would sit at the piano and play something fast-paced. Probably a Bach Fugue or a Hanon piano drill. This was my way of releasing nervous energy. As an introvert, it was also my way of dealing with public events and crowds of people. What no one knew until much later was that my nervous music was also accompanied by a ‘nervous stomach ache.’ 

This morning, I woke up thinking about a sprinter who erupts out of the gate and expends all his energy at the beginning of the race. He will lose it to the one who paces himself.  A smart runner will conserve his energy. Steadiness, along with skill and focus, earns him the gold! 

A life well lived for Jesus is attained by keeping a steady pace. He doesn’t ask us to be the fastest or the brightest. We just need to get on the track and move. There will always be the temptation to compete in order to stand out from others. We will push ourselves with breathless exertions, ending in a crash. But this is not a holy thing. We’ll lose the internal resources to fight sin, hopelessness, and fatigue. 

I’ve come to understand that my Father graciously offers me what I need to engage in a kind and steady pace. There is stability in measured steps. If I’m in a period with abounding energy, there is still a right pace for me. God will reveal it and show me how to channel it. Oh, but when I’m driven and bearing down, I’ve lost my holy gait. 

Show me how You did this, Lord.  Amen