Learning His Pace

R.eflect

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:29–30

U.nderstand

It felt too fast.

I had just started running when I joined an experienced runner on her evening route.
She set our pace and held it steady.
To my surprise, I discovered I could actually run faster than I ever had before.

Then another day, it felt too slow.

I went out with a different experienced runner and told her my plan called for a long, easy run.
She set a gentle pace and introduced me to a true Zone 2 run—steady, conversational, sustainable.

At the end, I could hardly believe it.
We had just completed the longest distance I had ever run, yet I felt fine.
We were warm but not panting, and we had enjoyed the sweetest, most unhurried conversation.

Sometimes they mixed it up.

At my first running club seminar, the coach had us alternate laps—one fast lap, then a slow one, then rest. Next, a slow lap followed by a fast one, then rest again.
That simple pattern helped improve my speed.
On my next easy run, I realized my pace had increased without me even trying.

Running has taught me about pacing.
But my heart still wrestles with pacing in life.

Have you ever felt that God was moving too slowly?

You pray, you wait, and it feels like He has forgotten you.
I have felt that way.
I married late, and then we walked through a long infertility journey.
Compared to what the world calls “normal,” His pace felt painfully slow.

Or perhaps life feels like God is moving too fast.

My call to business-as-missions in China came very suddenly.
On my first tourist trip to mainland China, I met a friend’s brother.
During that visit, the Lord clearly confirmed that I should move from New Jersey to China and join his start-up.
They wanted me to start immediately.
Life suddenly shifted into full speed.

Other times, God’s timing simply confuses me.

I thought something was His will.
Every door seemed open—and then suddenly they closed.
Fast, then slow. Slow, then fast.
Pauses that felt like standstills.

Yet Jesus invites us to trust His pace.

Scripture reminds us that

“for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

And again,

“they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:31

Waiting on God is not passive.
It is a steady, hopeful dependence that He is weaving all things together for His glory and our ultimate good.

When we insist on running at our own pace, we easily become fearful, frustrated, and exhausted, because so much is outside our control.

But when we trust the Lord as our wise Pacer, our souls find rest.

I have seen this in my own life.

The first time I was unemployed, I panicked when no job offer came quickly.
The second time I was unemployed, an offer I had accepted was suddenly withdrawn because of a hiring freeze.
The situation was actually worse, yet my heart was calm.

What had changed?

Between those seasons, I had repented of my unbelief and chosen to trust my Pacer.
He had provided for me before, and this time I wanted to honor Him in the uncertainty instead of being controlled by fear.

My current season is busy—very busy.

I believe everything on my plate comes from the Lord, yet some days it still feels like too much. In those moments, I sense the Father whispering to my heart:

“There is just enough time for everything.”

That simple assurance gives me comfort, strength, and quiet joy.

N.avigate

What is the pace of your current season?

Does it feel like God is moving too slowly?
Too quickly?
Or like life is a confusing mix of sprints, shuffles, and sudden stops?

We have the best Pacer.
He knows us.
He loves us.
And He knows what is truly best.

Today, He invites you to trust His timing and walk—or run—in step with Him.

Here are the A–B–CDs:

A – Accept
Accept the timings in your life that you cannot control.
Bring them honestly before the Lord instead of struggling against them alone.

B – Bless
Bless the Lord.
Praise Him in faith even before you see the outcome.
Let the Psalms give you words:
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)
“In your book were written every one of them, the days that were formed for me.” (Psalm 139:16)

CD – Courageously Do
Courageously do what God has given you to do today—no more and no less. Walk in obedience for today’s assignment and trust Him with tomorrow.

Our wonderful Lord will give you the strength you need.
He will uphold you as you wait, walk, and run with Him.

He will lead you.
He will bless you.
And your soul can find deep rest in His light yoke and perfectly paced burden.