Getting in the Zone Doesn’t Just Happen.

Have you ever been “in the zone”?

I ran cross-country in high school. Wasn’t the fastest by far and truth be told, I didn’t enjoy the sport that much. I ran because playing on the tennis team required participation in an off-season sport and running seemed to be a good complement to my tennis.

We would often train by running more than the 3.1-mile course used for meets. At times, while running longer distances, I felt as if I could run forever. More than just being comfortable in the run, I seemed to glide, my legs wanting to go faster, just for the sake of running.

We won’t spend time on the science behind the runner’s high, but I would like for us to consider one expert’s opinion on when it happens.

“What [research is showing] with the runner’s high is that we’re most conducive to experiencing it if we do a long, continuous bout of exercise, generally one that’s rhythmical,” Paul J. Arciero, M.S., F.A.C.S.M., professor in the health and exercise sciences department at Skidmore College.¹

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say I believe we can apply that same philosophy to other areas of our lives.

I know from experience that getting into my “writing zone” requires a similar effort. On occasion (I’d say less often even than rarely) I can pick up a writing project that has been sitting idle for a while and immediately pour words onto the page with hardly a thought about what I’m writing. I’m talking about words flowing one after the other with hardly a thought outside of the story or topic I’m writing on.

No, the normal for me is to have to first reacquaint myself with what I was working on. I have to read past material or go through notes to remind myself of where I was headed. Then I usually write a little, think a little, look over my outline, think some more, write some more… you get the idea.

This goes on for a while until I get into the rhythm of writing. Once my head is back into the story or subject, the words come more easily. As I continue to write they tend to stream from mind to keyboard with less effort. If I continue for several hours, even better. On occasion, “the zone.”

Getting in the Zone Doesn’t Just Happen. #hope #joy #writingcommunity Share on X

Similar to the runner’s high, I don’t hit my writing zone every time I write. And I’m not saying the writing is great writing. I am saying there is a freedom I experience in my writing that comes from continuous, rhythmic exercise. I’m also saying I’ve found it doesn’t happen for me at all if I don’t put myself into position to experience it.

Now let’s talk about our relationship with the Lord. Again, I’m no expert in this, but I’ll share my experience. When I allow myself to stop spending long, continuous, rhythmic bouts of time with God, I lose my ability to be in the zone with Him. We are built to spend time with God.

David shares wisdom with us in one of his psalms recorded in the book of 1 Chronicles.

“Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.” (1 Chronicles 16:11, NASB)

That’s right. David knew thousands of years ago, what we’re talking about today. We are to seek God continually. 1 Chronicles 16 tells us we should make Him known to others, sing to Him, speak of His wonders, boast in His holy name, and remember His deeds. We do all these things as we seek His face continually.

I challenge you to do just that. Read David’s psalm of thanksgiving in 1 Chronicles 16, then spend time following his directions. Don’t let hours or days go by without acknowledging God in your life.

Just as runners find freedom from strain as they run, and writers find unencumbered thoughts as they write, you will find His strength. But getting in the zone doesn’t just happen. We have to spend time with the Lord to get there.

Today’s feature photo comes from a “photo-a-day” challenge I pursued several years ago. The photo inspires the topic. For me, the posts challenge my creativity, writing discipline, and dependence on God for His message. My prayer is that you find hope in God’s Word, and that you’ll share your hope with others.

¹https://www.self.com/story/what-causes-runners-high-and-how-to-feel-it