Slowing

All of life seems to be a race. In the movie Get Smart, Agent 86 is walking down the street and is run into by Agent 99. He tells her that life isn't a race. She replies with, "If it were, I would win." This is often our view of things. We think that getting somewhere faster is the road to fulfillment. But, as I read on a disposable glove box, "Quality is a journey, not a destination." When we rush through life, we miss all of the little moments that make up life. We miss out on the joy of living and just being. When we go to the store, we have a goal in mind -- to get a few specific things on our list -- and that is all that matters. But what about all the stuff we forget to enjoy? The car ride, the scenery, the people, the amazing intersection of a thousand busy lives clashing together without even stopping to say hello.

One of my favorite quotes comes from Psalm 46:10 -- "Be still, and know that I am God." There is a reason that God commands us to rest on the Sabbath. We need to take the time to let God work and speak in our lives. We need to start noticing all that God has blessed us with. We need to take a moment to share our lives with one another and show God's love in our lives. We need to slow down.

Reflection Questions:

Q: Are you addicted to hurry, rush and adrenalin? Explain.
A: In some ways I am. I want to get to the next thing, and I want to be done with where I am now. I want to get my work done as fast as I can.

Q: How do you feel about being stuck behind cars that go slowly? How do you react to a slow sales clerk? What is your response to children who dawdle?
A: When I am alone, I quickly grow impatient in these situations. But when I am with someone or share the moment with someone, I can see how enjoyable it can be to just live in the moment and enjoy the time that we have. Looking back, I can see how much I have enjoyed just being with people in the car on the way to something. The conversations, the humor, the intersection of perspectives .... even the silence is worth living for. I pray that God will give me the humility to realize that where I am is where I need to be and to help me to live in the moment, every moment.