Fly, Run, Walk
Guest post by Lori Hatcher
My husband, David, and I were walking across a grassy baseball field one sunny afternoon when he pointed to a huge nest sitting atop one of the light poles that ringed the field. High above the nest soared two red-tailed hawks.
As we watched, a third hawk climbed to the edge of the nest and leaped. It flapped its wings, caught an updraft, and gracefully rose to join the others.
Who hasn’t wondered what it feels like to fly? What would it feel like to have the wind beneath my wings, the sun on my face, the rush of height and speed?
The closest I’ve come to flying (commercial airline flights notwithstanding) has been riding a rollercoaster. Or maybe racing my bicycle at breakneck speed down the biggest hill in town.
Braver friends than I have described parasailing adventures, hot air balloon rides, and skiing.
The next best thing to flying is running. Think of Olympians who churn forward on powerful
legs, their feet barely touching the ground. Some sail over hurdles. Others pass batons to their
waiting teammates. A few break world records and earn gold medals.
Walking, compared to flying or running, is decidedly less glamorous. One clunky step after
another. Walking is often slow, methodical, and decidedly ungraceful. Tethered to earth by
gravity, most humans spend day after day plodding from one place to another as we move
through our daily lives.
I’m surprised Isaiah included walking in his glorious description of the believer who hopes in the
Lord: “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).
I understand why believers need supernatural help to soar. And to run. But why would we need
God’s help to walk? Compared to flying or running, walking requires much less strength and
stamina.
Or does it?
Most of us can probably describe a time when we soared—a season when all was right with the
world and we were on top of it. Life was effortless and glorious.
We may also recall times when we ran with strength and speed. We tackled life’s challenges with
seemingly boundless enthusiasm.
Flying and running days, however, are the exception for the Christian. As my pastor pointed out
one day, we spend most of our life walking.
Walking is the spiritual discipline of getting up every day and taking steps in the right direction.
It’s the daily grind of life. The monotony and the minutiae. What we do when only God sees.
It’s choosing to walk with God faithfully, read His Word daily, and serve cheerfully.
It’s caring for family—day in and day out—for decades. Serving at a job or at home, preparing
thousands of meals, spending long nights caregiving.
It’s working as unto the Lord, even if no one says thank you. It’s showing up with a smile and
treating our bosses, customers, and coworkers with dignity. It’s acting honestly.
Walking is praying for days, months, and years for that unsaved loved one. Treating our difficult
spouse with respect, and persevering in faith when all seems lost.
Walking is lingering in God’s Word and savoring His presence. Listening for His gentle whisper
in our soul.
When we walk in faith, God works in us to make us more like Jesus. He fills our hearts with joy
and grant us victory over besetting sins. Best of all, He uses us as His instrument of healing and
hope to those around us.
Flying is amazing. Running is glorious. But walking in faith, day after day, can be our place of
greatest victory.
Thankfully, God promises that if we hope in the Lord and ask Him to supply the strength we
need, He’ll help us walk and not faint.
Every single day.
Until He returns or calls us home.
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
To read more of Lori’s devotions, order your own copy of her newest book, Walking in Faith: 60 Devotions
to Renew Your Strength!
This article is excerpted from Lori Hatcher’s latest devotional, Walking in Faith: 60 Devotions
to Renew Your Strength, © 2026 by Lori Hatcher. Used by permission of Our Daily Bread Publishing, Grand Rapids, MI, 49501. Further distribution is prohibited without permission from Our Daily Bread Publishing at permissionsdept@odbm.org.
Lori Hatcher is a women’s ministry speaker, career healthcare worker, and the award-winning
author of eight devotional books with Our Daily Bread Publishing, including Walking in Faith:
60 Devotions to Renew Your Strength and Moment’s with God for Couples. A transplanted
Yankee who lives delightfully close to her four hilarious grandchildren in Lexington, South
Carolina, Lori loves Jesus, maple walnut ice cream, and anything Trader Joe’s.
