The Joy of the In-BetweenSample

Slowing Down

Everyone else in the Pilates class seemed to know exactly what they were doing. As someone new to Pilates, I was seriously struggling. With my legs shaking and my mind wondering if I was even doing the moves correctly, I heard the instructor say, “I want you to focus on moving slowly. The faster you move, the faster you make mistakes.”

If you’re like me, you think you have to accomplish all your goals for the year in January. Or when God gives you a vision, you try to make it happen that same day. Or when you feel behind, you’re tempted to rush things and speed ahead, just to keep up. It’s especially tempting to move more quickly when it seems like every­one else is ahead and we are still way behind. But when we’re in a hurry, we are quick to make mistakes.

Just as I needed to slow down to learn Pilates moves, sometimes I need to slow down to live out God’s purpose for my life.

So let this be your reminder today:

You don’t have to have it all figured out right now.

You don’t have to rush ahead of the pack.

You don’t have to be in a hurry.

You don’t have to make things happen in your own strength, even if you feel behind.

Instead of anxiously striving in our own effort, let’s follow God’s lead, even if it’s slow. Let’s ask God for the grace to slow down when every part of us wants to speed up. Let’s “be still” and know that God is God (Psalm 46:10).

Moving slowly and trusting God’s timing could be exactly His will for us right now. And in His perfect will, we can find rest.

Lord, sometimes I look at where everyone else is, and I feel like I’m behind. Help me trust Your timing for my life, and give me the grace to move forward, even if it’s slowly. I know You’ve got me in the palm of Your hand. In Jesus’ name, amen.

We hope this plan encourages you. Learn more about The Joy of the In-Between by Ashley Hetherington.