Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:16 NIV

In world class running, they’re called rabbits or pacers—they’re runners who are tasked with keeping elite racers at just the right pace to set the next world record.

Thinking of a runner matching her gait with a pacer gives me a good picture of what the Bible is talking about when it says, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).  One translation puts it: “Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives” (NLT), and another says: “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit” (ESV).

Those elite runners of the world use pacers for both psychological and physical reasons.  Running alone is always harder than running in a pack and a famous study found that at a four-and-a-half-minute mile pace, drafting one meter behind another runner on a still day saves about 80 percent of the energy you’d otherwise spend fighting air resistance[1]

Now God knows what He created me to accomplish and the circumstances in which I’ll be able to achieve it. Heading out of the race gates of my own life, I was pretty sure I knew what needed to get done and the pace at which things should happen. And guess what? Running by my power didn’t work out very well.

The Holy Spirit leads with “unforced rhythms of grace,” as The Message puts Matthew 11:28-30. I’ve learned the Spirit’s steps are the perfect pace; keeping in step with Him requires quiet space in my life and time with His Word.

 

Resource reading: Galatians 5:7-18

[1] Huber, M. F., & Robinson, R. (2021, June 30). Pacers Are Ruining the Marathon. Outside Online. Retrieved May 3, 2022, from https://www.outsideonline.com/health/running/pacers-are-ruining-marathon/