Read

Galatians 5:25 "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

Think

Some of the hardest miles in any run aren't the steepest—they're the slowest.

You know those awkward in-between stretches where the adrenaline has worn off, the finish line is still a rumor, and your body's saying, “Just walk already!”? That's where a lot of people give up. Not because they're out of strength but because they're out of patience.

Our spiritual life feels that way, too. The seasons where nothing is "wrong," but nothing is moving. You're not falling apart—you're just stuck in the slog. And the temptation is to either force movement or stop completely.

But Galatians 5:25 doesn't say, "Charge ahead." It says, keep in step with the Spirit. Not faster. Not slower. Just in step.

It's a powerful picture: God isn't a drill sergeant barking orders or a pacer demanding you keep up. He's more like a dance partner—someone who invites you to move in rhythm, with awareness and trust.

But keeping in step requires surrender. It means letting him set the tempo, even when it's slower than you'd like. Especially when it's slower than you'd like.

The Greek word for "keep in step" (stoicheō) is a military term that means "to march in a straight line." It's a call to alignment, not activity. Faithfulness over flash. Presence over pace.

And here's the irony: when we slow down and sync with the Spirit, we don't lose momentum—we find purpose. The "slow miles" are often the ones where roots go deep, character gets formed, and the voice of the Lord gets clearer.

If you're in a season that feels slow, stuck, or strangely still, maybe the Lord isn't delaying you. Maybe he's discipling you.

Apply

What part of your life feels like it's moving slower than you'd hoped? Instead of rushing past it, take a moment today to ask the Spirit what it looks like to stay in step. Maybe it's resting. Maybe it's waiting. Maybe it's being faithful in something small. Don't fight the tempo—lean into it.

Pray

Lord, I like movement. I like progress. But your pace is wiser than mine. Teach me to keep in step with your Spirit—even when that means slowing down. Grow patience in me. Shape trust in me. Help me stay close to your rhythm, so I don't miss what you're doing in the stillness. In Jesus' name. Amen.