For the last several weeks, our air has been smoky in Central California because of the fires chasing up and down our state. We have been forced to stay inside for many days, which was a little harder to swallow after five months of sheltering at home due to the global pandemic.
My husband Shawn and I decided to take our three daughters and my parents on a weekend trip to the Central Coast to get out of the murky air. On that Saturday morning, Shawn and I drove to Montaña de Oro State Park for a trail run. I craved fresh air and some space to breathe before the new school year began with all my girls learning at home.
Some friends recommended this amazing trail that overlooked the ocean. I am all about chasing God’s glory along ocean vistas. We made our way to the trailhead and started our run.
Montaña de Oro State Park boasts golden wildflowers in spring, secluded sandy beaches, streams, canyons, coastal plains dotted with succulents, and hills upon hills. As the trail wove through the park like a thread through a tapestry, we found ourselves peering over the edge of rugged cliffs. A symphony of waves crashed beneath us.
I felt the storm in my soul begin to calm as my heart tuned in to the cadence of the ocean waves. I was reminded of my Daddy God who holds all the details, all the decision fatigue, and all the problems of this year in the palm of His hands.
Then I began to notice this bird flying overhead. As I ran, he flew just ahead of me. He was so close I could make out the curve of his expansive wings. I’m not a birder, but I’m pretty sure it was a hawk or eagle. I could tell by the way he would flap his wings only once or twice and then soar on the wind.
The prophet Isaiah says, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
These words remind us that we are called to place our hope in the Lord. We cannot trust in our own sense of control over situations. So much in this season is out of our hands, and we have to look to God when we feel weary and broken.
Different translations and versions of the Bible use different words in place of that word “trust,” which help us get a fuller picture of what the prophet Isaiah was saying. We are called to “wait” for the Lord (ESV), to “trust” in Him (NLT), and “wait upon” Him for our next move (MSG). When we trust and wait for God, He leads us in surprising ways to fly like eagles.
Eagles are beautiful, majestic birds created by God to soar. They have long, large wings. Their bodies are very light with bones that are hollow. Their skeletons weigh about half a pound, but their wings are very strong.
When eagles fly, they flap their wings for only a short time to gain altitude. Then they stretch their wings horizontally and use wind thermals to soar or glide through the air, conserving energy.
A wind thermal is a big gust of wind that rises up from the atmosphere. Eagles wait and perch (sometimes for days) before they catch a good, strong wind thermal to carry them to where they want to go. Like the eagle, we also must wait with hope, listening for the Holy Spirit to whisper, nudge, or direct us where to run next.
While we wait, Isaiah 40 says God “renews our strength.” An eagle molts, which is the natural way God renews and replenishes its wings. The old feathers fall out and new ones grow in to take their place. Similarly, God can give us a dose of renewed strength, power, and ability while we are waiting for Him.
Whether you are waiting for an answer, waiting for healing, waiting for a child, waiting for a job promotion, or just waiting for this pandemic to be over, know that your waiting has purpose.
Waiting does not mean wallowing or sitting idle. In the waiting, God can give us fresh strength so we can soar when the time is right.
We can’t simply rely on our own strength because it is too often misguided and will eventually run out. Like the eagle, we need to conserve energy and look with anticipation for that just-right wind the Holy Spirit provides.
We need to stop striving and start soaring.
This post was adapted from the Introduction to Walk Run Soar.
Walk, Run, Soar is a 52-week devotional and training journal designed for runners (and walkers!) who hope to experience God’s presence, purpose, and glory in a deeper way as they run. Dorina Gilmore Young, and her triathlete husband, Shawn, will get you moving with a new motivation: improving your spiritual health. Along with weekly devotions to inspire you, Walk, Run, Soar includes:
· practical running/training tips
· training schedules from a running and triathlon coach
· advice on how to fuel your body well
· reflection questions and action steps
· space to journal and record your running progress
Whether you are new to running or a longtime runner, Walk, Run, Soar will motivate you to hit your fitness goals while strengthening your faith.
Lisa Derrick says
Your devotional sounds amazing – combining spiritual help along with physical help! I am a walker/runner and would love to benefit from your book. I also have some walker friends who would love this too!
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young says
Hi Lisa! I would love to get this devotional in your hands! I wrote it for you and your friends!
Frances says
“Waiting does not mean wallowing or sitting idle. In the waiting, God can give us fresh strength so we can soar when the time is right”…Your words speak directly to me as I am now going through a second battle with cancer & I am 83 years old so guarantee it is tough. I love all birds & you referring to the eagles as you did filled me with hope. Thanks. Blessing on selling many copies of your book.
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young says
Frances, I’m so sorry for what you are going through. You are a beautiful and brave woman. I do believe God created you to soar in His strength. May He continue to give you hope one day at a time!
Emilee says
This devo sounds great! I would love to gift it to my best friend Asuka who is a runner! She is an ICU nurse and is working so hard to take care of everyone during this difficult time!
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young says
Emilee! I would love to send her one! Thank you for sharing about your friend!
Linda K Null says
Isaiah 40:31 is my go-to verse all the time. As a Run for God Instructor, your book would be a wonderful resource for my class participants. Running lifts us mentally and spiritually, while improving our physical fitness. I would love a copy of your book!
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young says
Hi Linda! So good to hear from you! I would love to connect. I love what Run for God stands for! I just got an invite to be an ambassador for them & they posted about our book.
Melody says
I would love to give this devotional to my daughter. She is a freshman away from home for the first time. She’s a runner, but so far hasn’t worked running into her new routine. I know this book would motivate her to get back out there!
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young says
Hi Melody, Thanks for thinking about sharing this with your daughter. I would love to run with her through this devotional journey!
Pat says
Beautiful devotion for this morning!
I’d love your new book for my daughter who is a runner.
PS-Prayers continue for all affected by the wildfires.
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young says
Hi Pat, Thanks for your prayers! I hope your daughter gets one!
Angela Beadnall-wall says
I would like to open the pages on this devotional. As an athlete, as a fully employed worker through a difficult work period and now as a carer facing the constraints of covid and unknown territory of my Dads mental health and the effects of lockdown on my poor Dad. I have needed to lean on God to survive and have always needed and found solace in Isaiah 40:31.
God Bless you and thank-you for this word today
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young says
Hi Angela, Thank you for sharing what you are going through. So much right now. Running has helped me navigate so much of the stress of the season. I pray you have a chance to get out there again and this book finds its way into your hands!
Patty says
I would like to gift this to my daughter. She did cross country in high school. But hasn’t really ran since the whole Covid happened.
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young says
Hi Patty, Love your heart to share this with your daughter. We all need a little motivation to get out there again. Hope she gets one!
Jessie says
What a great combination– running and spiritual encouragement and development! I’d love to have a copy to revitalize my running, as I’ve hit a plateau and keep running the same route without much energy or excitement about it, just going through the motions. I’m trying to be a good example for my sister, who just started running, but it’s challenging when I don’t have much enthusiasm of my own.
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young says
Hi Jessie, I think this book might infuse you with a new sense of purpose! I hope you get one!
Laurel says
Isaiah 40:31 has been a favorite of mine for some time. I had never heard the part about them waiting for the right wind thermal. God teaches us about waiting frequently. I would enjoy this for myself.
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young says
I loved learning that detail about the eagles. In the waiting, God is working!
Renee says
I would love to gift this book to my daughter-in-law! She’s a runner, but she’s also a wonderful human being, mommy to 3 boys she’s currently homeschooling, a college professor teaching remotely, and a student in a Ph.D. program. I know this would speak deeply to her!
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young says
Hi Renee, Your daughter sounds amazing! We need women like her! I hope she gets a copy!
Heidi says
I have a friend in Ohio who loves to run, so I would give it to her.
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young says
Thanks for thinking of people who would love this book! I hope she gets one!
Deanna Ansell says
I would love to receive this book for myself. I am going thru health issues that are draining all my strength and am very weak. I surrender myself to the Lord and leaning totally on Him.
In Jesus name
Deanna
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young says
Dear Deanna, I’m so sorry for the suffering you are enduring right now. My prayers are with you. I hope the pages of this book will be an encouragement to you!
Christi Crow says
I am a runner and can’t wait to purchase this book! If I win the giveaway I will gift a copy to my daughter, Jolea, who is also a runner with big dreams!
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young says
Hi Christi! I wrote this book for people like you and Jolea. I hope these words are an encouragement to you on your running and life journeys!
Dawn Ferguson-Little says
Dorina we have big might God who made this earth. We have alot to thank him for no matter what going on in our world. No matter where we live. Look at Psalm 118 verse 24 it says “This Day That Lord Has Made Let Us Rejoice And Be Glad In It”. So let us do as that Verse in thst Psalm say. Let’s rejoice in every day the Lord has made and be glad in it. Even from the moment we wake up in morning. As it God who wakes us to enjoy another beautiful day in his beautiful world he has made. No matter what is going on around in it. Pray for all those who are trying to make it a better place for us to live in. Like our Fire fitters Our Doctor and Nurses and those working in Nursing Homes and those helping people who are homeless. Those who still make food for our shops. Shop works Home helps ect. All over the world. Even though there are people who do destroy it don’t care about it. But God see all they do. They might get away with when alive on earth. Unless they repent come to the Saviour that is Jesus. They will be sorry. When they leave earth. We have so much to thank God for. Another day to be alive in his beautiful world. When we look around at all he has given us. We are live that is something to thank God for. If have roof over our heads food on our tables clothes on backs clean running water and a bed to sleep in. We are truly bless. When so many in our world today don’t have theses things. We can especially if saved Pray for them. If can help in any way help out. If it old person. You going shopping. Call in see if they need anything. Call in Just to see if they are ok. You never know what you calling could do for them as you might be the only person they see all day or for a long time. They might just want the company for a while. Jesus will bless you for doing so. I do it when I can. I do it on to Jesus and for the love of Jesus. Thank you for another excellent reading. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little xxx
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young says
You are right! We have so much to be thankful for!
Evangeline says
I would love to win a copy of this book for my husband who was a runner and is now a “walker.”
SHARON A says
I have a friend who I walk with on weekends and she has other friends she walks with during the week! I love the ocean and the peace it brings and so does she!! This book sounds amazing.
Candace says
This book looks fantastic! I have a couple running friends who I think would love this book as much as I would.
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young says
Yay for more running friends, Candace! Keep chasing His glory!
Janet Williams says
“Learning to soar instead of flapping our wings” I love it! When we trust God we soar. When we rely on ourselves our wings flap and flap and flap!!!! I’ve been running for 25 years. It’s my time with God and nature. My time of gratitude. My time of prayer. Some runs I ramble on and on and it’s all about MEEEE other runs I covet everything I see and want and God gets a good laugh. Luckily He reminds me through nature how amazing He is. How beautiful is His creation.
Dorina, I love the idea of the book you and Shawn have written. Sharing the days devotion or scripture with family/friends on a walk or run is awesome and wonderful. Thank you. I’d love a copy. I pray you have the opportunity to share this book with hundreds of runners that may not know God…..yet!
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young says
Janet, I can tell we are kindred spirits! And running for 25 years is amazing! Thanks for sharing my book with others and multiplying the message for His glory!
Hannah says
I definitely want to read it and share with my friend Ashley!
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young says
I hope you both get our hands on this book! There’s inspiration for you both!
Lisa Moore says
What a lovely picture you drew with words! Thank you for sharing your heart! I appreciate the word pictures and know that it truly is His plan alone and waiting is part of it. May you have a great day today
Sue says
I’ve always wanted to try running. Something you said about waiting stuck my core. I have been waiting a for years for our son to return to his faith.
Martha Troxel says
If I win this book, I will give it to a woman I know who does a lot of walking.
Ileana says
I am a Campus Ministry Advisor and I would like to give this book to one of our students. She’s a runner and a great leader for our college community.
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young says
Thanks so much for thinking of her! I hope she gets a copy!
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young says
I love that you thought of sharing this with a student! I hope she gets one!
Tyra Greene says
I love this. As a wife and mother who’s ran multiple marathons, I understand how important training, hydration & nutrition are as well as Rest. In our lives Rest is also a very necessary ingredient if we want to renew, refresh, & recover. My husband is a COVID survivor (ventilator for 12 days) and he runs with me. It’s truly a blessing to see God’s breath in his lungs.!
I would love one of these and know several runner-friends who would too.!
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young says
Tyra, Thanks for sharing your story. So good to get to know you. Praise God for breath in our lungs, your husband’s renewed health, and for the ability to soar in His strength!
Melody P. says
Isaiah 40:31 is my favorite Bible verse and has been a source of encouragement through the years. While I am not a runner, I am trying to build my strength back up after a broken ankle (in May 2020) and trying to regain my walking routine.
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young says
Praying for healing and renewed strength of body and spirit for you, Melody!
Becky Taylor says
Good morning!
I will get a copy for myself and my daughter. But I would love to gift a copy to my 8th grade granddaughter. It is her second year of Cross Country running and she is seeing improvement weekly. It is a great team sport with individual goals to set and exceed. This devotional should inspire her to soar.
Thanks for writing it.
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young says
How sweet! Thank you for thinking of sharing with your granddaughter! I coach cross country at my daughters’ school. We are looking forward to going back for practices when the time is right!
Beth Williams says
Dorina,
People tend to think that surrender & waiting on God equates doing nothing. It Just means we give control over to God. We go about our daily lives at a slower pace anticipating hearing from God & knowing the right time to take off & soar. God uses that time to renew our strength & give us a fresh perspective on problems. Walking in nature gives us fresh viewpoint to see God. We can marvel at all the wonders He has created. Love the idea of your Walk, Run, Soar devotional. Combining healthy living with getting out in nature & seeing all of God’s beauty. Let’s all wait on the Lord & renew our strength so we can go out there & soar like an Eagle.
Blessings 🙂
Dorina Gilmore-Young says
Thank you, Beth! Yes! He is faithful to meet us even when we look for Him on our walks and runs. I love the picture of the eagles soaring painted in Scripture!