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We live in a very fast paced world and culture. We wear busyness like a badge of honor, to show how successful we are. We are always available thanks to the technology age of cell phones and somehow we can’t find the off button for anything. We are all running at paces that the world has set for us that we were never meant to function at. We all just want to find a way for our souls to find rest, but it seems impossible with calendars constantly demanding our time and energy, and every moment flying by faster than the last. So, how can we find a way out of the rat race set before us? 

We look to our ultimate guide and example that is Jesus. Jesus was never in a hurry and the truth is, we shouldn’t be either. Time after time in the Bible, we read the story of Jesus’ life and we see that He walked slowly through the crowds, often took time to withdraw and be alone with the Father and take His time so He could carry out the mission of intentionally loving and leading those He encountered. 

You can find a few stories and examples of Jesus living slowly here:

Delaying for Lazarus (John 11:6): When Jesus heard his close friend Lazarus was sick, he purposely stayed where he was for two more days instead of rushing to heal him, using the delay to reveal a greater glory.

The Bleeding Woman (Mark 5:21–34): While on his way to save a dying little girl, Jesus stopped his urgent journey mid-crowd because he felt power leave him, taking time to personally address and comfort the frightened woman who touched his cloak.

Stopping for Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46–52): As a noisy crowd tried to hush a begging blind man calling out to him, Jesus stopped walking, called Bartimaeus over, and gave him his full, undivided attention.

Resting by the Well (John 4:6): Weary from a long journey, Jesus sat down at a well in Samaria to rest during the heat of the day, intentionally pausing his travels and opening a life-changing conversation with the Samaritan woman.

When we are often in a hurry, we miss the beautiful opportunities that God has set before us. If we aren’t careful, we can become our own gods, live only for our own agendas, thinking that all the good stuff we have in life was our own doing. When we get in a fast enough pace that we completely miss not just the divine opportunities but God Himself. 

The enemy loves to distract us even with good things but we have to realize Jesus is the best thing.

It’s so important that we find a time to slow down and get into the presence of God. It’s like plugging back into the power source and recharging. He is the cure to our sickness of hurry. When we learn to be more like Mary and less like Martha (Luke 10:38-42), we get to experience the true uninterrupted, unhurried peace and joy that comes from sitting with Jesus.

Choose the better part today and slow yourself down, be still and know that He is God and your ongoing to do list and busy calendar can wait.

What areas of your life do you feel most hurried?

What things in your life do you need to eliminate from your plate or your schedule to be able to have unhurried and uninterrupted time with Jesus today?

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Heavenly Father,
I pray to you today to help me to reset my pace. I’m tired and weary from running a race that I never signed up for and I am asking to trade my agenda for yours. Realign my ways with the life of Jesus and help me become slower everyday so I don’t miss the things that You have for me or that I don’t miss You, Yourself. I ask for your Holy Spirit to guide my steps and give me peace as I pause in Your presence today. Show me the better thing that is You.
I pray this all in the name of Jesus,
Amen