Soar → Run → Walk?
Don’t be a dove when you are an eagle.
As a young teenager, I used to have dreams of flying—literally soaring through the sky like Peter Pan. Someone once told me the meaning behind those dreams: they were a sign of the strength God had given me to rise above the traumatic circumstances I regularly experienced as a child. Even as a child, God was showing me something—giving me glimpses of the strength He would one day provide. First, He lifted me above my circumstances, then He gave me the endurance to run, and finally, He taught me how to walk with Him daily.
Then, at fourteen, on the verge of suicide, my life was saved when I encountered the truth that there was a heavenly Father who was present, who loved me, and who would give me strength. That realization—through a divine moment I spoke about in a recent Substack—made me soar! And from that place of soaring, I was given the endurance to run the race, strengthening my daily walk with Him. That moment didn’t just lift me out of despair—it set me on a path that follows the same pattern found in Isaiah 40:31: first soaring in faith, then running with endurance, and finally learning to walk daily with God.
Context of Isaiah 40
Isaiah 40 marks a shift in the book of Isaiah from judgment (chapters 1-39) to comfort and restoration (chapters 40-66). The chapter begins with a call to comfort God’s people (40:1-2), followed by the famous prophecy of John the Baptist’s ministry (40:3-5). Then, it moves to emphasize God’s sovereignty over the nations, His unmatched power, and His tender care for His people.
By the time we reach Isaiah 40:29-31, we see a powerful contrast: humans, even the strongest among us, will grow weary, but God never does. Strength doesn’t come from self-reliance but from waiting (trusting, hoping) in the Lord.
Soar → Run → Walk
At first glance, the order in Isaiah 40:31 seems reversed from a natural perspective—we usually walk first, then run, then maybe soar. But spiritually, this order aligns with a broader biblical pattern:
Mount Up with Wings Like Eagles – This speaks to our position in Christ (Ephesians 2:6), where we gain an eternal perspective. Before we can run or walk effectively, we need to start with a heavenly mindset. Later, in verse 8, we see where this mindset comes from—Him. He gives it to us as a no-strings-attached gift.
Run and Not Grow Weary – Once we understand our identity in Christ, we can run the race set before us (Hebrews 12:1). Running represents endurance, a commitment to God’s path.
Walk and Not Faint – Walking is about daily faithfulness (Colossians 2:6). It’s the steady, ongoing obedience that sustains us over the long haul.
At this point, you might be wondering, "James, I thought there were no strings?" Aren’t obedience and endurance strings? On the contrary—obedience, as a result of seeing the gift of salvation, is freedom. We still have the freedom to choose, but we are no longer slaves to sin. Now, we get to fight temptation, fear, and sin with someone—the Holy Spirit—daily. This is not a burden but an incredible privilege. We don’t run or walk alone; we move forward with God’s strength, guided by His Spirit.
Never Finished Challenge - Soar → Run → Walk
Soar – Strength for the Weary
What I love most about this passage is who receives strength—it’s not the strong but those who are weak and weary. So here’s my first challenge to you: if you feel exhausted, empty, or like you have nothing left to give, good! You are exactly where you need to be. This is your moment to lean into Him and then who He is.
Instead of striving in your own strength, lean into God by seeking Him in prayer and immersing yourself in His Word. He promises to renew your strength, not just give you a boost. When you focus on understanding who He is rather than what you lack, He lifts you up. And before you know it—you’ll be soaring.
Run – Waiting is Not Passive
Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.” Waiting on God does not mean waiting on a job, a promotion, a breakthrough, or even an answer. It means actively trusting Him while staying faithful to what He’s already put in front of you.
You don’t have to force doors open—just keep walking through the ones He places before you. Keep seeking, keep trusting, and keep moving. The right opportunity and the right answer always come when you’re anchored in Him.
Walk – Daily Pursuit
Because you understand who God is, and because you have learned to wait on Him, your daily life changes. This is where faith becomes a rhythm, not just a moment. Walking with God isn’t about chasing mountaintop experiences—it’s about consistent, intentional time with Him.
So here’s my final challenge: Keep showing up. Keep pursuing Him, keep seeking Him daily, and keep taking the next step in faith. The more you walk with Him, the more you’ll find yourself soaring again.
What’s Your Next Step?
Which stage do you feel like you’re in—Soaring? Running? Walking? Take a moment to reflect and ask God what He wants to show you in this season. Then, step forward in faith.
For your pocket: Don’t be a dove when you are an eagle.
What does today say about God?
God does not hide to not be found. He does not hold back the answers to make you feel stupid. He reveals Himself to those who search and gives the correct answers in the proper seasons for those who ask.
I can trust His undeniable and unquenchable power because it does not make me feel weak. In fact, even in my weakness, with Him, I feel most powerful.
Thank you, Jesus!
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