The Race Is Not to the Swift

Written By Rebecca Johnson

We all know the story of The Tortoise and The Hare: The Hare, fast and confident, rushes ahead and burns out. The Tortoise, slow and steady, keeps moving forward and wins the race. Ecclesiastes 9:11 reminds us, “The race is not to the swift.” Life isn’t about how quickly we can achieve our goals; it’s about moving in God’s timing and grace.

When God gives you a vision, it’s not for you to take on alone. Often, we get a glimpse of His plan and run with it, forgetting to pause, seek His guidance, and allow Him to lead us step by step. In doing so, we run ahead of God and risk burnout before we’ve even begun. Trust me I know, I have been there. As the year 2023 came to a close, I found myself caught in the rush of planning for the new year. I wrote out ambitious goals, mapped out schedules, and stressed over how I could accomplish everything in the first 12 weeks of 2024. It was as though I was preparing to sprint through a race, but the moment the clock struck midnight, ushering in the new year, I felt an overwhelming wave of exhaustion.

I wasn’t just tired; I was stuck. Overwhelmed by the magnitude of my own plans, I realized I had neglected the most important step: aligning them with God. By trying to take everything on myself, I had turned God’s vision into my burden.

As 2024 came to an end, I almost repeated the same cycle—until I watched a sermon by Stephanie Ike. It was a turning point that made me recognize the need to slow down.

Slow Down to Hear God

This year, let’s learn to pause, sit in God’s presence, and ask:

• What do You want me to do with this vision?
• Is this the right time?
• How do You want me to execute it?

When we lean on God, the race becomes lighter. The burden is no longer ours to carry alone, but His to lead us through with strength and grace. Jesus says in Matthew 11: 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am [f]gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

So, as you step into this new season, remember: you’re not running this race to be the fastest—you’re running it to fulfill God’s purpose, in His timing. Slow down, seek Him, and let Him set the pace.

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.” (Habakkuk 2:3)

This year, let’s run the race with purpose, guided by His hand.