“Slow down. Take a deep breath. What's the hurry?" ~ Jeremiah 2:25
Claire returned from her week-long mission trip to Honduras
nearly two months ago. There she’d witnessed life at a pace Americans thought
only existed a century ago. Where life was sacred... slower... savored.
It wasn’t perfect but
purposeful. There were many challenges and far fewer indulgences. Yet, it was
fascinating to experience life sans electricity, clean water, and smartphones.
Asked to share her
thoughts with her church family, she spoke these words:
“Dear friends, 77.3 years isn’t much time.
I pack my days full of activities. We’re urged to join as
many school clubs and sports as possible. At home, an endless list of things
that need to be maintained, fixed or upgraded awaits. Even at work we’re
expected to continually take on added responsibilities.
Yet, why are so many people unhappy? Why are so many on
medication to control anxiety and depression? Isn’t this unmistakable evidence
that our system is broken?
There’s just no rest; no sense of completion.
We walk around with a nagging sense that there’s something
we forgot to do. Or we feel guilty when we take time to do nothing, chill with
friends, or just be. And it’s eating away at us from the inside.
Life doesn’t have to be so crazy. It’s time we embrace the
alternative: slowing down.
Honduras opened my eyes. I saw there was a direct
correlation between life’s exhausting pace and an obsession with self.
Centering our lives on effectiveness as the primary goal leaves little time for
other people or relationships.
Jesus was, of course, the perfect example. His life on earth was
the embodiment of sacrifice – of giving Himself for others. His agenda wasn’t
on getting things done. And as His follower, I want to be more like that
too.
I want to put relationships first. Hearts before agendas.
Lives ahead of schedules. He put us here to Love Him, to Love others, and to
spread JOY every day.
When our calendars are scribbled in the margins because
they’re way too full, we have no way to empty ourselves out in sacrifice. It’s not
the way God meant us to be.
My mind frequently drifts back to my time in Honduras. What
I remember most is how I felt. I felt relaxed… contemplative… closer to God.
More at peace with myself and those put purposely around me. A slower-paced
life isn’t just a great idea, or chic, or an illusion. It’s essential if we
want to have time to be the body of Christ. Thank you!”
“Father God, You didn’t put us here to rush about doing millions of needless things, but to Love. To Love You, to Love everyone as ourselves, and to find Joy in every single day on earth. Help me to find Your pace. Amen” ~ Claire
