I’ve been thinking lately about pace.
What speed is fitting as we pursue the Lord – is it always an all-out, relentless rush? Are we always breathless about getting to where God is leading?
I’ve been thinking about pace because I wonder if we sometimes speed what should be slowed. I wonder if we create some of the crazy that surrounds our spiritual sprints – like we’ve thrown into the air all the race markers and so haphazardly attempt to fix our eyes on Jesus while anxiously searching the way.
Maybe this isn’t making any sense to you (is it?), but I’ve sure noticed that God means for some things to be experienced slowly. Prayers are sometimes this way, and blessings. And suffering. Sometimes, it seems, we’d like to think we can control the outcome of the race we’re running, the “race marked out for us,” by more intensity. Or maybe it’s just me.
It is a beautiful thing to take slow steps of faith. Not timid steps, just slow and steady steps that say,
“I am not worried where my foot will fall. I am not anxious about getting somewhere sooner or later. I am at peace with the amount of grace God has given for this step. I do not doubt the Lord’s provision.”
It is a beautiful thing to take slow steps of faith and I’m learning this, slowly. Maybe it’s because slow steps allow my frenzied, distracted heart time to believe in the God who will sustain me.
Maybe my hurried, race pace is something I’ve thought up as a back-up plan if God’s doesn’t work. Maybe I need to be restful even while I’m determined to persevere as a runner in a race – believing that my finishing doesn’t depend on my performance as much as it depends on God’s grace.
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21
“It is in vain that you rise early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved.” Psalm 127:2
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34
Today, I’ll try taking slower steps.
This song seems to be about the right pace.
MUSINGS IN THE MIDST 
I love your thoughts here. It took some tough lessons from God to show me that I cannot grow myself. He will grow me in His time in His way. I can do things to encourage the process, but He’s really the only one that can truly teach and change my heart.
After figuring that out for myself, I realized that I didn’t need to worry about teaching the hearts of the people around me. I’m responsible to show Jesus, and tell what He’s done. But I can’t change them when they are wrong. Only He can grow them in His time in His way.
Thank you so much for sharing your heart! “I cannot grow myself” is such a hard thing to admit, isn’t it? Even if we convince ourselves we are empty of pride… it’s hard to say we are not capable of making growth happen. Not even if we want to so badly. You are so right in saying that He is the only one that can make change happen. And, when we stop trying to grow ourselves, we can actually enjoy the freedom He gives in changing out hearts all on His own. Right?
Thank you for sharing!
Caroline
Great thoughts, Annie. It reminds me of our Amish friends. They told us that the reason they drive in their buggies isn’t about technology – it’s about pace. They believe if you go through life too fast you will miss seeing the things that cause us to be thankful and glorify God.
I agree with your Amish friends – we need to reclaim a slower pace!