Slowing Down
We live in a society that expects us to “Go, go, go!” and, at a glance, our culture seems to thrive on it. Schools, companies, and corporations are all looking to expand their reach, grow their brand, and impact more people.
I’ll admit up front, this intense pace of life has really benefited our society in a lot of ways! But there are also negative impacts.
I don’t hope to pose an extensive pro/con list of America’s pace of life, I’d rather just consider for a moment why and how we should slow down.
Slowing Down with Purpose
Slowing down is BIBLICAL! This is one of the most beautiful things about the Christian life. Slowing down is expected in the life of the person who calls Jesus Lord and Savior. Solomon assures us of this truth in Psalm 127:
Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Our view of God is what drives our ability to rest. Knowing God more intimately is what helps us slow down: those who believe in Him can rest in His plan because He is the chief builder of our “houses”, they can rest in His protection because He watches over us, and they can rest in His goodness because He gives his beloved sleep.
God, who is everywhere all at once, knows that we cannot be. And the beautiful thing is that we don’t have to be! We can slow down.
Slowing Down Practically
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr is a personal hero of mine, a man with wisdom beyond his years and a role model for the world to look to. His life taught the world what love should look like, and spoke timeless truths we should strive to apply to our lives today:
“The confidence that God is mindful of the individual is of tremendous value in dealing with the disease of fear, for it gives us a feeling of worth and belonging…”
Believe God is good, believe God is in control. Look your fears in the face and let them know that God says you were worth giving his own Son up for. Let fear know that God calls you His Daughter or His Son and that you belong. Let fear know that you are beloved. Let these truths motivate the way you rest.
“The quality, not the longevity of one’s life is what’s important.”
Prioritize the things that matter. Spend your time doing the things that matter to you with the people that matter to you. Build margin into your schedule, take walks, go on drives, make time for deep and meaningful conversations. Who knows how long this life will last? We have to make the most!
“There is nothing more tragic than to find an individual bogged down in the length of life, devoid of breath.”
Cut time-wasters. Binging Netflix and scrolling on social media seem restful at the end of a long work week, but these things give no real “breath” to our lives and souls. Find the beauty in God’s creation, be a lifelong learner, find rich and fulfilling “breath”!
Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?”
Love your neighbor. Sacrificially loving others is beneficial to all parties involved. Make time to go the extra mile, use your talents in creative ways, be active in your community, prioritize time with family and people you love. These things can bring joy, purpose, and even genuine rest to our lives!
The ebb and flow of life is inevitable. Sometimes, there are seasons where we can’t afford the luxury to slow down like we really want to. Sometimes we have to pick up an extra job. Sometimes we get stuck in the house for weeks on end and have to be creative with how we stay sharp. But slowing down is never a bad option when you slow down effectively.
Slowing Down Spiritually
Society says, “Go, go, go!” but read what Jesus says in Matthew chapter 11:
”28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Physical rest is one thing, but we all ultimately crave spiritual rest. A relationship with Jesus is where we can find both.