Posted on by jwlozano

Little by Little

I started running back in 2018, and lately I’ve been sharing a little more about my running journey. I really enjoy running, but I wasn’t able to run for the last three years. It’s been really nice to finally get back out there again.

When I first started back in February, it was hard. I look back now at my pace, and it took me a long time just to do a little bit, but I’m really glad I started anyway. I’m the type of person that when I jump into something, I go all in. I want to move fast, progress fast, and do more right away. But this year, when I started running again, I told myself, “I really need to take my time,” because I wanted to make sure I wasn’t doing too much too soon.

Honestly, it was hard to hold back sometimes. I felt like I could do more or go faster, but I’m glad I took my time. The Bible talks about in Ecclesiastes how there is a season and a time for everything, and how God makes everything beautiful in its time.

When I first started back running, it wasn’t beautiful. It would take me almost 45 minutes to run three miles, which for some people might even be a walking pace. But that’s where I was, and I’m thankful I didn’t let comparison discourage me or make me want to quit.

Now, I can run three miles much faster than that, and it only happened because I allowed my strength and fitness to come back little by little.

That phrase, “little by little,” reminds me of Exodus 23:30, where God says, “Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.”

I love that verse because sometimes we want everything to happen immediately. We want instant growth, instant strength, instant results. But God often works little by little because He’s growing us in the process. Sometimes we are not ready yet for the full thing we’re asking for, and growth takes time.

This is a lesson I’ve had to apply throughout my whole life.

When I wrote my book from 2021 through 2023, I had to write it little by little too. I was homeschooling, still new to homeschooling, and I didn’t have large chunks of free time. I didn’t release my book until 2024, but little by little adds up.

Whatever feels overwhelming to you right now, start little by little.

Maybe you have a huge room you need to declutter. Work on it for 5 or 10 minutes, then come back tomorrow and do another 5 or 10 minutes.

Maybe you want to organize the 24,182 pictures on your phone. Set a timer for 5 or 10 minutes and organize a few at a time.

We live in such an all-or-nothing society, and sometimes that mindset can become part of our personality too. But the truth is, you can accomplish a lot little by little.

I hope this encourages you today.

Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

So whatever feels insurmountable to you right now, just know that with the help of the Lord, and with the willingness to keep moving forward little by little, you can do it. You can make progress, and you can see success.

Posted on by jwlozano

Grace for the Race

Last week, I wrote about running our own race and staying focused on the path God has marked out for us. But during that same 10K race, something happened that stayed with me long after I crossed the finish line.

As I was running, I saw a woman walking in the opposite direction, crying.

I don’t know her story. Maybe she got hurt. Maybe she realized the distance was more than she expected. I truly don’t know the details, and this is in no way meant to shame her.

But seeing her walk away from the course made me think about how easy it can be in life to feel like turning around and giving up.

Sometimes life feels overwhelming. Sometimes we hit seasons where we think, “I don’t know if I can keep doing this.”

Maybe it’s your finances.
Maybe it’s your marriage.
Maybe it’s parenting, ministry, work, or just the weight of life itself.

Paul encouraged believers over and over again to keep going. In Galatians 6:9 he writes:

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

I love that verse because it acknowledges something important:
Sometimes you will feel tired.

But tired doesn’t always mean it’s time to quit.

One thing I love about races is that all throughout the course there are water stations. And it always amazes me how they seem to appear at exactly the right moment, right when you feel like you really need one.

When you’re running, stopping briefly at a water station doesn’t mean you failed the race. It doesn’t mean you quit. It simply means you needed to refresh yourself so you could keep going.

And I think Jesus is that for us.

Jesus said:

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Sometimes what we need is not to give up.
Sometimes we simply need rest.
We need to pause, regroup, pray, worship, breathe, and spend time in the presence of God.

The goal isn’t to push ourselves until we completely fall apart. The goal is to stay in the race.

2 Peter 1:3 reminds us that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness. That means whatever season we are facing, God will provide the strength, grace, wisdom, and endurance we need to keep moving forward.

So if you’re tired, rest.
If you’re weary, go to Jesus.
If you’re discouraged, pause at the water station.

But don’t give up mid-race.