The Following Pace

I’m learning that the key to embracing my “ministry of interruptions” (see yesterday’s post) has to do with PACE.  When I live life in a hurry, I have a low tolerance for “interruptions.” The caterpillar on the sidewalk that my child wants to investigate is a nuisance rather than a wonder if I’m hustling to the next scheduled event. The extra round of cuddling that my toddler wants to enjoy before he slips out of his pajamas is a stressor rather than a blessing if we have to race out the door for early morning swimming lessons. 

Hurry steals my joy. Hurry makes me impatient. Hurry distorts my perspective.

In His book The Life You’ve Always Wanted, John Ortberg observes:

          Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day.
          Hurry can destroy our souls. Hurry can keep us from
          living well… For many of us the great danger is not that we
          will renounce our faith. It is that we will become so distracted
         and rushed and preoccupied that we will settle for a mediocre
         version of it.

When I study the life of Jesus, I notice something intriguing:  Jesus never appeared to be in a hurry. Although he was given a mere three years to complete his earthly ministry, he did not move frantically through his days.  He moved slowly enough to touch people. He invited children to climb on his lap. He allowed the sick to reach for His hands. He took time to touch the untouchable, to treasure the discarded, to listen to the confused, to see the unnoticed.  Jesus engaged in long conversations, told memorable stories, and took time to answer questions with more than a “because I said so,” response.

Oh, how I want to be like my Savior. I love author Ann Kroeker’s reminder in her book Not So Fast,

If you want to follow someone, you can’t go faster than the one who is leading; following Jesus cannot be done at a sprint if He is moving slowly.  Jesus invited His disciples to follow Him, and they did. They walked at His pace.  We can, too.

Today’s Treasure:  Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. 
          -1 John 2:6