Go Slow to Go Fast
“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
Stillness is devalued and often discouraged in society. All around us, people shout for our attention. Project deadlines press us hard on every side. The pace of life saps both our strength and our passion. So, what pace should we choose if we want to thrive? We think that when we drill down to bedrock of biblical wisdom, and share what we find in simple terms, the answer is a paradox: go slow to go fast. If you want to thrive, try ceasing from your work on a weekly basis. Do this even when you have work to do. Why?
As the psalmist writes, notice the progression that follows when you choose stillness. Your “knowing” becomes clear which then positions you to “do” whatever God has for you. Hard workers often shudder at the ‘go slow’ part. Some might even label it ‘slothful’. Herein lies the paradox. Going slow helps you think clearly so you can ‘go fast’ in life. You move with confidence, and often swiftness, because you are following God’s pattern for living.
Think about it. When we slow down to rest and couple this with taking time to get wisdom from God’s Word, we get perspective and strength. This helps us navigate the journey of life like having a lamp to light our way. We also become light for others. This becomes evident when you walk on a dark night and you forget your flashlight, but you notice that your traveling companion has one. You stay close to them, don’t you?
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” – Psalm 119:105
Likewise, when we travel through life with the light of the Word of God, we can see where we are going, when oftentimes, those around us are lost. So, getting wisdom from God’s Word is partly for us and partly for helping others who sojourn with us. Let’s think about the ‘others’ aspect more deeply. As light, we serve as a visible, viable thriving presence in our communities. Wherever we go and whatever we do, our light helps others. In this way, we become the light of the world, which is Christ’s desire for us!
Jesus, remind me to read the Word not just for myself but also to share the light with others. Amen.