I hear Spirit’s whisper… slow down.
It reminds me of when my children were preschoolers. The middle one was especially fast. It was as if every movement, every thought, every part of him lived in high gear. I hear God’s words in my own momma voice.
Slow down before you fall and hurt yourself.
Slow down we have to wait.
Slow down you’re going to hit the car in front of you.
Slow down or you’re gonna miss it.
Child! Slow. Down.
I’m becoming keenly aware that slowing down this Advent is going to take some work. Because most of what I see and hear in the world is moving at a hundred-miles-per-hour pace.
I get it.
Sort of…
This season is full of parties, presentations, decorations to put up, a long list of gifts to purchase, cards to mail, and family to see. Our calendar squares bulge at the seams and I often hear others sigh as they say, “I’m ready for this all to be over.”
I pray you are not offended by my wonder at these words. How in my mind I want to ask, “How can this be? How did we get to this season of waiting for God With Us and want it all to be over? Who set this pace? And why in the world do we feel pressed to get on the roller coaster of hurried unlike any other time of the year?”
I read in my Advent devotional this week
One reason we don’t experience the peace of Jesus is because we don’t move at the pace of Jesus.
Practicing the Way
Could it be the “I’m ready for this to be over” might be an awareness that along with all the fast paced doing Peace has somehow slipped away? Slid to the back burner until the doing is done and all that’s left is picking up paper scraps scattered on the floor of our hearts.
Don’t get me wrong. I love all that comes with this season. The lights. The trees. Finding the perfect gift. I often pause some of my normal time commitments to make room for the celebrations of the season. I hum “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” most days.
Still I wonder, what would Jesus say if I asked, “How would you have the whole world celebrate your birthday?”
I hear him answer… slow. down.
Slow down before you fall and hurt yourself.
You can trust me to accomplish all that is needed.
Slow down. We have to wait.
Waiting equals growing, and I’m working all things for your good.
Slow down. You’re about to hit the car in front of you.
Follow me. Trust my timing, my rhythm, my pace.
Slow down. or you’re gonna miss it.
I slowly approach the empty manger, arms loaded with gifts. I’ve tied each one with a beautiful bow and present them at his feet in prayer.
Lord… I give you my agenda, my time, my schedule. I surrender my need to control and orchestrate a perfect season. You can have my hustle and my hurry. My desire to please others. I place my trust in you. I know you will accomplish all that is needed all that is important to me and those I love. These don’t feel like good gifts I’m giving. I mean who would want presents like this? And yet somehow I know they’re on the top of your list. So here they are Lord. Do with them what you will. Show me how to step in time with you. Because I don’t want to miss a thing. Not. One. Thing.
You’re invited to pray this prayer along with me as the days of Advent continue. A reminder to enter Jesus’ yoke and discover his pace always leads to peace.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
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