Majors Adrian and Clare Allman (West Midlands DHQ) invite us to run, rest and reflect.
Run
Having completed the Couch to 5K programme a few years ago – starting from absolutely no running at all – it was quite an eye-opener, both physically and mentally. That very first week, when the goal was simply to run for one minute at a time, felt genuinely awful. I was out of breath within seconds, my legs felt heavy, and I remember thinking: 'How on earth am I ever going to get to 30 minutes, let alone run 5K?' It just didn’t seem realistic.
But somehow, little by little, things began to change. Each week I could go just a bit further. It was still hard – often really hard – but I did it. And, along the way, I started to learn a few things. Things like not setting off too quickly – which I definitely did at first – and pushing through those first uncomfortable minutes when your breathing feels all over the place and everything in you just wants to stop. Because if you can hold on through that bit, something shifts: your breathing settles, your body adjusts and you find a rhythm you didn’t think was there. That part always felt a bit surprising to me.
And it got me thinking about that verse in Hebrews 12:1: 'Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.'
Because honestly, there was a lot of perseverance involved in getting from that first minute to anything close to 5K!
Life, in many ways, feels a bit like that. It’s not about rushing off at full speed or trying to have everything sorted straight away. That usually just leaves us exhausted. It’s much more about steady progress – about keeping going, even when things feel uncomfortable, or unclear, or slower than we’d like.
Often, it’s those early stages of something – or the harder stretches – that feel the most overwhelming. When you’re out of breath, unsure and quietly wondering if you’ve taken on more than you can manage. Those are usually the moments where giving up feels like the easiest option. But, just like with running, those are often the very places where something is starting to grow, even if we can’t quite see it yet.
And sometimes perseverance isn’t about pushing harder. Sometimes it’s about easing your pace, taking a breath and choosing to keep going more gently. Running has a way of teaching you that too – that it’s not always about effort alone, but about finding a pace that you can actually sustain. I think the same is true in life and in faith.
Growth rarely happens in big, dramatic leaps. More often it’s slow and steady, almost unnoticeable day to day. But, over time, those small steps add up to something real. Something stronger.
So as you run or walk today, wherever you find yourself – right at the beginning, somewhere in the middle trying to find your rhythm, or in one of those tougher stretches where everything feels a bit heavier – just remember: this is what perseverance looks like.
Not perfect. Not easy. But faithful.
Keep going. Keep steady. And trust that, in time, you will grow stronger.
Because the race isn’t about being the fastest. It’s simply about not giving up.
Questions for reflection
As you keep going, you might want to gently reflect on this:
- Where in your life do things feel a bit like that first minute of running – hard, uncomfortable and a bit overwhelming?
- Is there somewhere you might need to slow the pace slightly, rather than push harder?
Or perhaps somewhere you’re tempted to stop altogether?
You don’t have to have all the answers today. You don’t need to see the whole road ahead. Just take the next step. And then the one after that.
God meets us there – not just at the finish line, but in the quiet, steady rhythm of keeping going.
Prayer
Lord, thank you that you call us to run our own race, not someone else’s.
Help us to keep going when things feel hard, and to trust you when we feel out of breath or unsure.
Give us the strength to persevere, the wisdom to pace ourselves, and the faith to take each step with you.
Remind us that we are never running alone; you are with us every step of the way.
Amen.
Rest
Since stepping into a new role at work, I have found it harder to make time for a simple joy I once enjoyed regularly: a round of golf. I used to play with two friends from church. We were never outstanding players, but we called ourselves 'happy hackers'. That name said something important about who we were and that we had learnt to accept imperfection. While we aimed for that elusive par or birdie, more than scoring well we valued the fellowship, the fresh air and the shared experience.
Recently, we all spoke about getting back on to the course again. I can already imagine what it will be like: a promising start, followed by tiredness creeping in, a slowing pace, and a growing need to pause and rest. Yet perhaps that, too, holds truth of its own. Life often begins with energy and intention, but we are not created to sustain that pace without rest. We need moments to pause, to breathe and to be renewed.
Although many see golf as relaxing, I sometimes find it physically demanding. It reminds me that even the things we love can leave us weary. We see this in professional sport as well. Athletes at the highest level, such as Rory McIlroy, have spoken openly about the importance of both physical and mental wellbeing. Recently he said: 'If you don’t feel 100 per cent right mentally, that’s an injury too.' There is wisdom here. God created us as whole beings – body, mind, and spirit – and each part needs care.
In Genesis 2:2 and 3, Scripture reminds us of this divine rhythm of work and rest. From the very beginning, God himself rested on the seventh day, not out of need, but to show us the pattern for living. Rest is not weakness; it is obedience. It is trust. It is the acknowledgment that we are not God, and we do not need to carry everything.
In today’s world – and especially in sport or work – there is a constant pressure to keep going, to push harder, to perform. And, if we are not careful, it leads to burnout, over-training, emotional volatility and depleted resilience. But the truth is simple: we cannot pour from an empty cup. When we neglect rest, we begin to lose not only energy but also clarity, joy and purpose. We may continue outwardly, but inwardly we become weary.
God invites us into something better. Jesus says: 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28).
This rest is deeper than sleep. It is a restoration of the soul. It is a quieting of the noise within us. It is the renewal of our strength in him.
True rest includes stepping away – not just physically, but mentally and spiritually. It is found in moments of stillness, in time spent with loved ones, in laughter, in prayer, and in simply being present with God. These are not distractions from our purpose; they are what sustain it.
We are often slow to recognise the signs that we need rest. Irritability, loss of joy, lack of motivation, or a restless mind – these can all be gentle warnings. Like the body that tires on the back nine of a golf course, the soul also grows weary when pushed too far.
Yet God, in his grace, continually calls us back.
Perhaps being a 'happy hacker' is not such a bad way to approach life after all. It is a humble acceptance that we will not always get things right. It is the freedom to enjoy the journey rather than striving endlessly for perfection. And it is a reminder that our worth is not measured by performance, but grounded in God’s love for us.
As I look forward to returning to the golf course, I also feel a deeper invitation – to return to a rhythm of life that honours both effort and rest. To work faithfully, but to rest intentionally. To strive, but also to surrender.
In doing so, we may discover that true strength is not found in constant motion, but in learning to walk, pause, and trust – one step at a time, with God beside us.
Questions for reflection
- Where in my life am I striving for perfection rather than embracing the journey God has set before me?
- What signs of weariness or burnout am I currently experiencing, and how might God be inviting me to respond?
- How can I intentionally build rhythms of rest and renewal into my daily or weekly life?
- Am I making space to enjoy the simple gifts God has given me – friendship, creation, and moments of joy?
Prayer
Gracious God, thank you for the gift of rest. Teach us to embrace the journey, with all its imperfections, and to trust that your grace is sufficient for each step we take. Quiet our restless minds, renew our tired bodies, and restore our souls in your presence.
Help us to find joy in simple moments, to cherish the people around us, and to receive your gifts with gratitude.
May we walk each day at your pace, guided by your peace, and strengthened by your love.
Amen.
Reflect
Since doing Couch to 5K, I haven’t exactly become an avid runner. I go for a jog every now and then but, truth be known, I don’t really enjoy it – although I do enjoy the feeling when it’s done! There’s something satisfying about finishing, even when the journey itself feels like hard work.
What I have tried to do more of is get out for walks, even if it’s just a brisk 10-minute loop around the block. When I jog, I usually listen to music – the rhythm helps me keep moving and distracts me from how I’m feeling. But recently, I’ve been reading a lot about distraction, and how our attention spans seem to be getting shorter – technology and social media are a massive contributing factor to this. And, if I’m honest, I can see that in myself.
We fill every spare moment. Music, games, podcasts, notifications, scrolling ... there’s always something competing for our attention. And because of that, the space for reflection – for being still, for really thinking, for hearing from God – gets smaller and smaller.
So I’ve made a conscious decision. When I go for a walk now, I leave the music behind. No headphones, no distractions. Just the walk. Just the moment. Trying to be more aware of what’s around me – the sounds, the movement, the details I’d normally miss. And, more importantly, trying to become aware of what’s going on within me: my thoughts, my worries, my questions, and where God might be in all of that.
Psalm 46:10 says, 'Be still, and know that I am God.' Being still doesn’t necessarily mean stopping everything physically. Sometimes it’s about slowing the noise in our minds. Creating space. Choosing not to fill every gap.
Reflection is something we often push aside because life feels busy. But, without it, we can end up just moving from one thing to the next without really noticing where we’re going, how we’re doing or what God might be saying to us along the way.
When we take time to reflect, we begin to notice things differently. We notice where God has been at work, even in small ways. We notice what’s been weighing on us. We notice where we need guidance, or rest, or a change of direction. And, just like running helps build physical strength over time, reflection builds something deeper – awareness, perspective, and a closer connection with God.
So, as you walk today, maybe resist the urge to fill the space. Let this be a moment to reflect. Not to rush, not to analyse everything perfectly – but simply to notice and to listen.
Notice your breathing. Notice your pace. Notice the world around you.
And then gently turn your attention to God. Because often, it’s in the quiet, in the unnoticed moments, that he speaks most clearly.
Reflection
As you keep moving, take a moment to ask yourself:
- What have I been too distracted to notice lately?
- Where might God be inviting me to slow down and pay attention?
- What is one thing I need to bring before Him today?
- Let your steps become a rhythm of reflection – one thought, one prayer, one moment at a time.
Prayer
Lord, help me to slow down and make space for you in the middle of my busy thoughts. As I walk today, quiet the noise within me and help me to hear your voice more clearly.
Amen.
