I think I’m officially an “old” person. Chronologically I am in my senior years, but I never really have thought of myself as old. I’m noticing, however, a real desire in me for slowness.
Everything around me seems to be going so fast. Traffic, when its not at a standstill on the freeway, it is zooming by at a rapid pace. Even on the surface streets, the cars just seem to be going faster than I remember them in the past. What goes on in movies and tv shows also seems to be going at break-neck speed, or there seems to be a whole lot going on all at once.
Why is it the world seems to be in such a great big hurry? Am I missing something, is there a reason for it all to be going so fast?
I have lived through a time when highway speeds were where they are now, and also when they were reduced to 55 miles per hour. The current posted speed on many highways is between 70-75 miles per hour. So yes, the speed limit has increased some. From my experience, people have always driven a little faster than the speed limit. So its not really that anyone or anything is going that much faster.
What I am starting to conclude is, I’m the one who is slowing down, needing to pull into the slow lane. There is something in me that is desiring a slower pace, a more relaxed way of taking life in general. I wonder what that’s all about?
Even though age can play a part in the desire for more slowness, maybe its also a spiritual thing. Maybe I feel a need to slow down so I can catch my breath, and not miss the “God” moments that are happening all around me.
In Psalm 46:10 we hear, “He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!’” I’ve always been attracted to this verse of scripture. It appears to call us to rest. It gives me permission to slow down, take a breath, let my spirit catch up.
In actuality, the scripture is encouraging people in times of trouble to stop worrying, stop trying to fight battles on their own. Psalm 46 was written during times of war and invasion, emphasizing God as our strength and help. Its meant to invite us to acknowledge God’s true nature as ultimately powerful and in control.
With the blur of news these days, streaming at us 24/7 with relentless images and stories meant to keep us on edge and tuned in, its no wonder we may feel exhausted, depleted, and breathless. We were not engineered and created for 24/7 break-neck speeds. We were created for times of activity and times of rest. We weren’t created to withstand the pressure and stress that we seem to have allowed to become the norm today. We can’t take on worrying about everything happening, without also taking rest from what we see and hear.
Yes, there are lots of concerning things which we are witnessing. Yes, there are rumors and conjecture that seems to indicate imminent distress. Yes, there are forces at work that pull us in many different directions at an intolerable pace. But, we have God’s admonition to us to slow down, to in fact, be still. In the stillness, we can let the speed of everything happening just zoom on by us. We can breathe, we can take a beat, we can tune in and hear God assure us of a presence and peace that are necessary for our soul.
Even though I’m growing older all the time, and I do have the desire to slow it down some, I know I am still a participant in this world that’s moving and going so fast. I’m determined to take those moments of stillness where I and God can catch up with one another.
May the speed of the world not overwhelm us. May we seek moments of stillness and silence, all the while knowing God and feeling God’s hand upon us.
Your companion on the Way,
Pastor Tom