Slow Down!
I live on a street with a middle school at the end of our road. We’ve lived in the same house for nearly 40 years.
Many times when I’m outside working in the garden or playing with my grandchildren on the front lawn, cars go whizzing by…at what feels like break neck speed.
Most of the time I keep my cool. But, I have been known to yell at the driver…”Slow down! Can’t you see there are kids playing/walking/biking on this street?!” I then mumble something rather unbecoming to a man of God…but as righteously as possible! Sorry to admit: it irritates me!
It’s hard for most of us to slow down. We are living our lives at break neck speed…unaware of the potential dangers surrounding us. We think that faster is better at all times. But it’s not.
Our tagline at LTI is “Slow down. Be more.” And this is true for marinara sauce, slow churn ice cream, boats in the harbor, tenderizing meat, decision making, as well as eating, sleeping, and conversing with a loved one.
And, it’s definitely true for our walk with God. Jesus moved at 3 mph. He was comfortable at that pace. Nothing riled him up, nor did he run from his enemies. A slow and steady presence was his m.o. By moving slowly he was able to notice everything that was happening around him and was available to meet needs, speak truth, and serve others unconditionally, graciously, and tenderly.
We believe that if we slow down we too will become more like Jesus. We will be more prayerful, peaceful, gracious, kind, generous, and loving….and so much more. When we slow down and receive the Word of God, pray more with our ears than our lips, and reflect deeply on our with God life, we will slowly become more like Jesus.
Imagine with me what the Church would look like if we slowed down our overall pace of life and practiced a preference for God in all aspects of our life and service to others. I wake up every day with that hope in my heart.
Slow down, dear friend. It’s good for your soul. It’s good for our collective well-being. It’s good for your neighbors. It’s really good for the Kingdom of God.
