Many, if not all of us are guilty of being too busy to be able to take the extra time to go slower. We rush from one activity to the next, squeezing as much as possible into every second and then we wonder why we feel tired, have lost focus, and don’t hear from God or communicate well with others.
Ironically most of what we are busy doing so much of we won’t even remember in twenty years time. Why, because it’s actually not significant to our lives and is often just filling the space in our day. It’s a bit like spending time with someone and feeling like you need to make sure there is no silence between you, because the silence makes us feel uncomfortable.
When our kids were little toddlers we would take them for a walk to the park. The “walk” would take a long time because they would inspect and sometimes chat to every flower, ant and person they saw on their walk. We could have rushed it, picking them up and just getting to our destination, but as most of us know, it’s the journey as well as the destination that is important. It’s in the journey that we learn, discover and find out who we are and about the world around us.
Perhaps we all need to be more like a little child and practice the old saying, “stop and smell the roses“, which is not simply about flowers, but rather about how to live our life with a deeper appreciation of the world around us. It reminds us to slow down and notice the little things that make life worthwhile. Despite a busy life, it is important to know how to be present in the moment; otherwise those moments will pass us by and we will quite simply “miss them!”
God’s presence is also all around us and uts often when we slow down and find a quiet space to draw near to Him that we will recognise His presence. It is in quietness that we find his strength and it’s in slowing the pace that we find balance and a healthier, happier, richer and less stressful life.
Today, I encourage you to slow down, draw near to God in the quiet and appreciate everything that’s around you, as you “stop and smell the roses”.
“In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”
(Isaiah 30:15)
“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)
Prayer: Lord please help me to slow down and to draw near to you today and to appreciate the moments in my day more. In Jesus Name Amen.