This short post was originally intended to be a video. However, we were hosting the local YMCA kids summer camp at the time. All the fun they were having was right outside my office window. So in keeping pace with the day, I began writing instead.

I’ve been told that I’m a fast walker. I can get ahead of people, which means either they have to keep pace with me or I have to keep pace with them. 

In the book of Galatians, the Apostle Paul writes about the fruit of the Holy Spirit. These are the character traits, the desires, the affections of Jesus himself. He comes to live and abide within us by the Spirit. Since, Paul says, it is the Spirit that gives us this new life, it is also the Spirit that directs or sets the pace for this new life. (Galatians 5:22-25) 

So if the life of Jesus and the fruit of the Spirit are going to be manifest and evident in us, we must walk in the Spirit. We must stay in step with the Spirit. We must keep pace with the Spirit.

One of the pictures here is that of marching in order, in a row or line. Sometimes when driving, I get stuck behind a slow driver. I peek around the side to see if I can pass them. I don’t want to keep their pace!

We must learn to keep pace with the Spirit. Whether we feel He’s going too fast or too slow, we must learn to go His speed. We must follow the Leader.

I recently told Alissa I was going to the gym to work on my double under’s. She started saying, “You should watch the video that”—I interrupted with, “I know what I need to do.”

The Spirit often begins saying to us, “You should spend a few minutes in prayer…” “You should spend some time reading the Bible…” “You should ask your wife to forgive you…” “You should write a note to your daughter…” “You should rest…” But we interrupt, “I know what I need to do.”

Learning, knowing, and feeling what it is to keep pace at all times in the different areas of your life is critical to the overall quality of your life. Whether in your finances, relationships, work, health, etc..

The Holy Spirit in His  perfect knowledge and leadership of us knows what we need. If we can learn to keep pace with Him, step in step and in line with Him, He is sure to lead us to Jesus. Into the life of Jesus. Into living the best kind of life there is.