This word is submitted by Teresa Seputis (ts@godspeak.org)

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                      Endurance Runner

So many of My children are trying to sprint when I have called them to
run a long distance race.  They look at their current position in regard
to others and feel they must push to get ahead of the pack.  Instead of
pacing themselves, they expend all that they have for a very short term 
gain.  It is true that they are in the lead for a short instant.  But
as the race progresses, the other runners pass them by.  Since they
have expended themselves early in the race, they have nothing left to 
finish with. They are left behind in the dust.  

Child of Mine, be patient and pace yourself.  Rather, allow Me to set the
pace for you and trust the pace that I select.  For I have called you to
run a long course and I understand the strategy to successfully complete 
the race.   Do not be in such a hurry to jump into your anointing and calling
that you run ahead of Me.  Do not sprint and expend all before your time.  
For then you will burn yourself out and you will have nothing left to give 
Me when I require ministry of you.  Pace yourself at the pace that I select 
for you.  For I am preparing you.  I am building your endurance.  I am 
setting you in position for the final thrust.  Do not expend yourself early 
in My plans for you.  I desire that you finish the race and that you finish 
well.  

You can only accomplish this if you run your race My way.  Look to Me for 
direction and strategy.  Know when to coast and trust in Me and know when 
to kick in full thrust and run forward in full speed with what I am doing.  
You can only know this if you look to Me.  Watch Me. Trust Me.  Allow Me to 
set the strategy. Allow Me to select the perfect timings.  Know that I am 
actively working on your behalf to make you successful on the course I have 
set you on.  Understand that you are in this with Me for the long haul.  

This is not a short sprint.  You do not have to perform, excel and 
accomplish things quickly in order to please Me.  Rather, you have to look 
to Me, see what I am doing and then do with Me ONLY what I am doing.  No 
more and no less.  For the works and strategies of man will fail, but My 
strategies will succeed and My work will remain.  Do not be in such a hurry 
to minister that you attempt to do things that I am not doing.  Do not allow 
yourself to run off course.  Keep your eyes fixed on Me, and I will show you 
the way.

I am God eternal.  A thousand years is but an instant to Me.  I exist in all 
times at once.  I see the end and I see the beginning at the same instant.
I understand the timings and the strategies that are required to finish
well.  Can you trust Me?  Can you trust My timing?  Many times My timing 
will seem too slow to you.  But I assure you, My timing is perfect.  I know
what I am doing and I have a strategy and a purpose for you.

At times I move slower than you like because I am building a firm foundation 
in you.  At times my strategies go slower than you desire because I am
setting things in place around you.  I spend time setting each element of My
plans and purposes in place.  I have selected a strategy for you, that you 
might excel in Me.  I set a firm foundation in place for you before I build 
on it. I select the pace for you that will cause you to excel and to succeed 
and to finish well.  Do not try to run ahead of Me.  Trust Me and trust My 
timing and trust My plans for you.  Run with Me at My pace, and I will empower 
you to finish well.