A Walking Pace - a short devotion

A Walking Pace

But I have calmed and quieted my soul

Psalm 131:2a (ESV)

My family spent twelve years in a busy tourist city. Drivers sped through freeways and side streets always trying to get ahead of everyone else and our news reports held almost-daily fatal accidents. I witnessed more than my fair share of car crashes and can confidently claim God kept me from being collateral damage in several of them.

When we moved from the big city to a mid-sized town, we each immediately noticed the change of pace. The new town moved a bit slower, people (mostly) followed the speed limit, and drivers were no longer pushing their way to the front of every car line. We all enjoyed the relative calm that accompanied the rhythm of our new town. An added bonus was the reduction in car insurance costs by 30%!

Slowing down avoids vehicular accidents as much as it helps to avoid relational conflict and unnecessary added anxiety. If I am in a hurry, I respond with anger and frustration at interruptions and I am less kind to the people around me. My hurried pace puts me at risk for pushing others aside in an effort to “get ahead.” The fight for the front of line reveals my fight for control in my life and speeding through life exposes insecurities that my self-worth comes from what I can produce.

When I slow down, I create space for necessary interruptions, effective problem-solving and godly kindness. It forces me to acknowledge I cannot do everything the world demands of me. It forces me to reassess my self-worth, basing it not on my production rates but on how God defines me. When I slow down, I act like Jesus.

The pace of Jesus is—quite literally—a walking pace. His pace allowed for interruptions (the bleeding woman), big crowds (feeding the 5000) and waiting for God’s timing (avoiding Satan’s temptation to display his worthiness prematurely). Jesus didn’t fret over the worldly issues because he knew God was in control of it all. His pace stayed the same even in the chaos.

When we choose to walk at the pace of Jesus, we become the calm in the storm. The interruption is welcomed with a smile and compassion. Big crowds are no longer threatening. We become more patient with God’s timing because we are finally moving at his pace, rather than the world’s pace.

Slow down. Walk at the pace of Jesus. Take a deep breath and ease off the gas. You never know who else around you might benefit from your new pace. Furthermore, you might discover that your value in the eyes of God is so much more than what you can produce—even if you produce nothing.

Jesus, help me to slow down and spend time with you at your pace. Thank you for the fruit of peace that grows from our time together. Amen.

Today’s practice: Make a concerted effort to walk or drive at a reasonable pace today. Look for how this change impacts your reactions to others.