Slow Down, You Move Too Fast, Going to Make the Moment Last (Where have I heard that before?)
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)
I’ve been rushing through life for the last 60 years. My mother used to say that I was even a high-strung infant. Over the years, I worked hard at life because I wanted to experience as much of life as possible and did not want to end my life, regretting that I did not strive to be my best self. However, my motivation to constantly strive has limits, especially as a pastor.
In her article, “You Can’t Rush Your Spiritual Lessons,” Emily Jennings calls me out. Her premise is, “You can’t accelerate your spiritual lessons.” As people of faith, we want spiritual maturity as soon as possible. I was a 25-year-old ordained minister and wanted to rush my spiritual lessons so no one would realize their pastor was inexperienced. Unfortunately, there are times, 35 years later, when I still feel inexperienced. Life changes and new situations make us continually unprepared. So, I appreciate Jennings’ warning, “You can’t live faster than you’re supposed to.”
We cannot rush the journey to spiritual maturity. The only alternative is to slow down, experience life, and reflect on life’s situations with a prayerful heart and mind. Jennings recommends we work to embrace a gratitude mindset. Rather than force life’s direction, it is crucial to stop and pray so you can feel the hand of God guiding you in the direction you were intended to follow. If you constantly push, it is difficult to feel God’s nudge. Rather than pushing against God’s nudge, Jennings encourages, “You just have to go with it the way it’s happening.”
It takes years of experience to recognize God’s guiding hand. You will make mistakes, but the more you focus on your spiritual responses to each life situation, the more you will feel God’s hand. Then, spiritual maturity can develop. The more we push and rush, the further we get from God’s touch. Don’t force your life situation but allow God the room to guide you to a deep spiritual maturity. The more you get out of the way, the more room there will be for the Spirit to direct you to a deeper faith.