What’s you’re hurry? Why the need to gallop through life? Is it that necessary to race to the finish without smelling those proverbial roses? When I was in high school I couldn’t wait to get my driver’s license for the freedom of movement and the promise of adventure that little piece of plastic represented. Now, some decades later, that little piece of plastic still allows me to zoom, zip, and whip along my way on the freeway to my heart’s desire… but now I mostly fear for my life, and the life of my family, when I’m out on those freeways today. Today’s drivers bring a whole new meaning to the words “bolt, careen, and speed.” So you get there two and a half minutes faster, so what? Slow down already… don’t be in such a rush.
What’s true on the highway is true in life too, don’t you think? In just the last two weeks my wife and I have found a home that meets our needs better than our current one, and decided to put our house on the market. For several days I rushed from one task to the next providing financial data to our lender, meeting with our realtor, and making sure we dotted all the “i’s” and crossed all the “t’s” to get this ball rolling. We listed the house on Thursday and had open house over the weekend. A few “lookie loos” came parading through, marveling at how wonderful the house is, and why we should ever want to leave. When order was restored, our realtor remarked that it’s early days, but there were two couples who seemed genuinely interested in the purchase process. I said to the realtor, “Well, that’s good, because I am one of the most patient people you’ll ever meet.”
What a joke right? Anyone who knows me, knows I’ve been full tilt on “go” since I came out of the womb. I’ve rushed through each phase of my existence on this planet, always ready for the next big adventure. Patience may be a virtue, and it is definitely on the list of the Fruit of the Spirit of God, but it rarely shows up in my life with strength, or longevity. Apparently, I’m a work in progress when it comes to patience. This morning, before I started writing this article, I was reminded again of just how sad it is for people like me, always rushing around to the next task.
Contemplating the weekend’s activities, and thinking about writing out the list for today’s jobs, I looked to my right to get the yellow stickie notepad on my desk … and out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of the sun rising in the east. A totally cloudless sky of deep purple enhanced the glowing yellow and orange rays of the coming light. I was mesmerized, and shocked at how few times I’ve just sat and watched the sun come up. For whatever reason, what I did next shocked even me. I sat. I breathed. And I watched in wonder at the beauty of God’s creation. I wasn’t anxious. I wasn’t in a hurry. I wasn’t rushed. I just sat.
So here’s the thing. What’s your rush? Take a moment, and take a breath. Now relax, look around at something besides the “to-do list,” and take the time to see the wonder and beauty of God’s creation.
Psalm 27:14
Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.
As I was saying... 