Colossians 1:29 English Standard Version (ESV) For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

Have you ever driven a vehicle that has so much power that you felt like you had lost control? You are behind the wheel but you struggle with just how much accelerator you are comfortable pressing? Just a little too much and the exhilaration of power turns fearful.

We often try to relate human experiences in understanding scripture. While it is a best fit for the writer iy might not be the right expression for the reader. Writers struggle with trying to find the right expression of experience we have in the spirit which abides in all of us.

Paul’s expression of the Lord’s energy inside him reminds me of being behind the wheel of something really powerful. In the spirit I want to lose control to the Lord yet at the same time it is losing control. While I trust the Lord part of me will always feel a little uncomfortable losing control.

Looking at the things that Paul did and what God had done with him, I admire his ability to put “the pedal to the metal” spiritually and still admit there was a lot more power (energy) available that he did not release.

In truth walking by faith is similar because we must trust in the Lord to step out in faith without knowing how things will work out. We all have limits which might be physical and real or emotional and limiting us from being all we can be in Christ.

Christ knows that and loves us so much that he would never ask us to do anything we were not able to do either physically or emotionally.

Part of maturing in Christ will come when we feel comfortable enough to press a little harder on the gas petal. What that looks like for each of us depends on what we are called to do in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:7 English Standard Version (ESV) for we walk by faith, not by sight.

Hebrews 12:1 English Standard Version

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

What is the difference between walking and running?

Hebrews 11:5 English Standard Version (ESV) By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.

Walking by faith is about our relationship with God. We do not outpace God and we hang on every word.

Psalm 19:4-6 English Standard Version

⁴ Their voice^{[There measuring line]} goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,
⁵ which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
⁶ Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

Running by faith has everything to do with hearing God by faith, responding in obedience of faith and setting the course before us. The footnote was added to indicate that our response, our voice of commitment, sets us on that course to run the race.

Galatians 5:7 English Standard Version (ESV) You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?

In any endurance race the shear length of the race offers up opportunities to get tripped up. In those cases the Spirit of Truth offers up course corrections.