Speed and distance may be integral to the career of an athlete. On the other hand, it seems the rest of us may be too easily distracted with these concepts as meaningful to our Christian life. Why?

While it has something to do with the old maxim that life is a marathon and not a sprint, the reality is the majority of us who will not set a record or win a medal, in the worldly sense. At the same time, even the best in sports know timing is everything. Race too fast and run out of steam. Run beyond one’s capabilities and risk falling short of the finish line.

Interestingly enough, I don’t recall reading anywhere in Scripture that Jesus ran from point A to point B. Even when his good friend Lazarus lay in the tomb, he didn’t rush to his aid. Additionally, I don’t recall reading anywhere that he measured his ministry ‘successes’ by how much he and his disciples accomplished in any given day.

So, why is it we can get caught up in these unhealthy dynamics—speed and distance—as Christians doing our best to follow in Jesus’ footsteps? A few possibilities . . .

We’re so accustomed to rushing hither and yon, we believe speed is a sign of success. The events of the last sixteen months may have impacted our ‘faster is better’ lifestyle, yet old habits die hard. Wasting no time getting to the ER for a health emergency is one thing. Zipping past your spouse, child, or friend who is clearly having a hard day is quite another. A bit of wisdom: “Man goes about as a mere phantom; they hurry about, although in vain; he heaps up stores without knowing for whom.” [Psalms 39:7]

Speed and being first often share an unholy alliance. Sad but true—we can believe that if we are fast enough, we will be first to finish. To finish what? Becoming more religious? More spiritual? Scripture offers little wiggle room on this one: “Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.” [Matthew 20:16]

We get distracted by the finish line and miss the present moment. It is well and good to acknowledge we have finite time on this earth and want to make the most of it, however, if we begin to believe that the finish line is ours alone to manage and control, we may wake up [or not] one morning to realize all our efforts were indeed lived in vain. Determined to get to the end in our own strength, we miss the multitude of big and little ways God desires to encourage, love, and bless us with each and every day. The bottom line is getting to the finish line occurs one patient, persevering step at a time. No one knew that better than the apostle Paul: “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.” [Timothy 4:7]

What if we decided to set aside our need for speed and being first and focused our hearts and minds on these spiritual principles?

“But for that reason I was mercifully treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life.” [1 Timothy 1:16]

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.” [Hebrews 12:1-2]

“My soul, be at rest in God alone, from whom comes my hope.” [Psalms 62:6]

We can all agree slow and steady wins the race. By the same token, those qualities of attitude and heart may very well help us as Christians to become more loving and compassionate toward others and ourselves. And that fellow sojourner, seems a lifestyle Jesus would smile upon with encouragement and delight until the perfect moment we are welcomed across the finish line.

Do I tend to get in a hurry? Why?

Am I more focused on how my journey will end than the present moment? Why?

Can I give my cares to God and take the one next step?