The Urgency of Slowing DownНамуна

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. —Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 NKJV

My husband, son, and I all took off at our own paces on a Saturday morning run around the park.

Soon I found my cadence, and as I ran, it struck me that everyone at the park had a pace they were supposed to be moving at—not anyone else’s but theirs—the large group of women that sped right past me from the get-go, the older gentleman pushing his disabled friend in his wheelchair, the fit guy with the prosthetic leg, the two gals chattering in Spanish as they walked, the men riding their bikes, my son, my husband, me. We were all moving at our own pace because that’s how we thrive.

God wants goodness for you and me. But her pace and his pace are not necessarily my best pace or yours. Just because they have their degree, are married, started their own business, had a baby, and you haven’t or don’t, doesn’t mean you’re behind, not if you’re walking at the pace God leads you. As long as you’re tracking with God and His plans for you, you are right on time.

We don’t always understand God’s timing. We might never understand why that position or life stage came so quickly for a friend or peer but took forever for us. Maybe God needed to grow us. Maybe He needed to teach us some things. Maybe He wanted to make sure we didn’t get out of breath. Also we might not be sure why we got thrust into a certain responsibility or role without much preparation. Maybe God knew we were ready or His speedy pace got things in motion just when He needed them to be. Maybe God knew we’d actually enjoy running at a moderate pace or a faster one, and He orchestrated it that way simply for our long-term joy.

The more we live in God’s unforced rhythms of grace the better we can determine what pace He wants us to go in this season. Is this a time for rest or for meticulously learning a skill? Is it time to speak up? Or should you bite your tongue? I don’t have the answers for you, but God does. He has a time and pace for everything and everyone.

As I was coming down the home stretch of my run, my husband and son clapped and yelled, “Go, Mom!” And I felt so loved. So valued. They never once judged me because I was slower than them. They were proud of me for running my race.

If this is how my husband and son love me, can you imagine how much more God loves us? Can you imagine how God cheers for us when we go at the pace He intends for us?

God has good plans for you—big loops, record speeds, strengthening for your trust muscles, slow runs, cardio workouts that will get your heart pumping, and peaceful pauses. And when you go at His pace, you’ll experience the fullness and richness He planned for you all along.

Run your race at your God-led pace. I’m cheering for you. And so is Jesus.

Reflection:

What in your current season is taking longer than you hoped or going faster than you planned?

Ask Jesus to help you understand His pace for you. Thank Him for His perfect timing and purpose, and ask Him to help you go the speed He’s planned for you.

*This devotion is taken from Laura L. Smith’s book The Urgency of Slowing Down: Biblical Wisdom for Everyday Renewal.