Running fast but getting nowhere ∙∙
If racing against mere men makes you tired, how will you race against horses? – Jeremiah 12:5
2 Corinthians 9:6-11
6 Remember this – a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.
7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”
8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
9 As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.
It’s a frustrating reality we all face at times—running as fast as we can, putting in all our effort, yet remaining stuck in the same place. We feel trapped, weighed down by the challenges of life. It seems no matter what we do, we can’t seem to make any real progress.
This brings to mind Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass, where Alice finds herself running alongside the Queen of Hearts, only to discover they are still in the same spot. Breathless and confused, Alice remarks, “Well, in our country,” said Alice, still panting a little, “you’d generally get to somewhere else – if you run very fast for a long time, as we’ve been doing.” To which the Queen replies, “A slow sort of country! My dear, here we must run as fast as we can just to stay in place. And if you wish to go anywhere, you must run twice as fast as that.”
It’s a perfect picture of life lived solely in our own strength. When we focus inwardly, relying only on ourselves, the harder we try, the more stagnant we feel. Alone, we cannot break free from this endless loop. To accelerate, to truly progress, we must step outside of ourselves.
Perhaps this idea is best understood by its opposite. Consider the story of Cain and Abel, brothers who could not have been more different. Abel was obedient and humble, committed to honoring God in the right way.
Cain, however, was self-centered and defiant. Doing things the right way did not matter to him. He wanted to do things his own way. His selfishness created walls that trapped him, leaving him bitter and angry when his efforts didn’t yield the results he desired. Overcome by jealousy, Cain struck down his brother in rage. When confronted by God, his response was terse, defiant, harsh, and devoid of compassion: “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Cain’s story serves as a cautionary tale. Though he ran as fast as he could in pursuit of his own desires, his selfishness slowed him down and led to a dead end. Like Alice, he remained stuck, unable to move forward because he was focused inwardly on himself.
Contrast this with a life lived in service to others—a life marked by generosity, selflessness, and care for those around us. Isaiah 32:8 reminds us, “Generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity.” When we shift our focus outward, thinking of what others need and how we can serve them, we experience a profound transformation. Suddenly, we find ourselves moving forward at a speed we never thought possible. Serving others propels us further than we could ever go on our own.
This is one of life’s greatest secrets—true progress and fulfillment come not from chasing after our own desires but from giving ourselves to others. Lewis Carroll expressed it simply and powerfully: “All that is really worth doing is what we do for others.”
When we prioritize the needs of others above our own, we step outside the walls of self-centeredness. We begin to live with purpose, accomplishing more than we imagined. Helping others isn’t just a noble idea—it’s a way to truly break free from stagnation and experience meaningful growth. Running faster starts with putting others first. By lifting others up, we find ourselves being lifted, too.
REFLECT & PRAY
The Father encourages us and challenges us. He speaks soft words but also strong words when we need them.
Father, You know the path that You have laid out for me. Strengthen me to endure and overcome.
INSIGHT
Jeremiah once found himself struggling to understand his circumstances. Curious and a bit disheartened, he brought his concerns to the Father. But instead of offering comfort or direct answers, the Father provided a profound lesson. He cautioned Jeremiah, reminding him that if he faltered under the current challenges, how would he stand when more difficult trials came? He wasn’t dismissing Jeremiah’s feelings—He was preparing him. These moments of struggle were not meaningless but were instead molding Jeremiah into someone capable of navigating more challenging roads ahead.
The Father’s intervention does not remove challenges. He uses them to refine us. Our adversities are opportunities. They teach us to rise above today’s conditions to face tomorrow’s trials. Just as He did with Jeremiah, the Father’s wisdom calls us forward, equipping us to endure, grow, and fulfill His dream and purpose for our lives.
The Father teaches us a powerful lesson through the analogy of moving from the lesser to the greater. If simply running a foot race with men exhausts you, how can you hope to run with horses? The message is clear—if more minor challenges wear you out, how will you overcome and endure greater trials?
Hard times are not intended to destroy us. Trials serve as His training ground, strengthening us and increasing our ability not just to endure but to overcome.
Romans 5:3-5 provides incredible insight into how God works through challenges:
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope.
5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment.
The Greek word translated as “endurance” is hupomone. Hupomone literally means to remain under. It conveys perseverance, steadfastness, and patience during difficult circumstances. It’s not passive resignation. It is associated with hope and refers to that quality of character that does not allow one to surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial (Zodhiates). Hupomone is like a muscle. It grows and develops over time as a result of the proper responses to the vicissitudes of life. The Father wants to develop this exceptional quality in us.
And while trials shape us externally, spiritual renewal occurs internally. Ephesians 4:23 reminds us, “Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.” This renewal gives us a fresh perspective, lifting us emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. It enables us to face today’s challenges with hope and tomorrow’s with unwavering confidence.
Through every hardship, the Father is equipping us for greater things. He is transforming us—not just to contend with horses but to run victoriously alongside them, growing into the fullness of who He has called us to be.
As the Holy Spirit renews our minds and attitudes, we can rejoice in the face of difficulties, knowing that His endgame is to develop confident hope, not disappointment.
¯_(ツ)_/¯12-08-2
© Dr. H 2024
Dr H Reflections 