Meditation
It’s so easy to let the busy speed of life hurry you up until you find yourself tired, gasping for air. You may feel unable to press on in the way of Jesus amid your day-to-day activities. Or, even though you love the Lord, you may find yourself forgetting Him more than you want. Breathing in God’s love, mercy, and energy can help in times like these. But what’s even more recommended is this: slow down your pace. Stop running through life. Just walk.
You haven’t been called to run worthy of your calling, but to walk worthy of it (Ephesians 4:1; Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:12). Though the Bible paints a few pictures about the race set before you, walking is the undeniably consistent exhortation throughout scripture.
Taking regular walks can offer a good reminder of this. It resets your pace and settles the heart. Life really can be this calm, this simple. Even Jesus walked with Adam and Eve during the cool parts of the day, just like Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and a host of other followers walked with God—and just like you can, too (Genesis 3:8; 5:24; 6:9; 17:1; Micah 6:8).
As much as you may feel pressured by the world’s do, do, do mantras, the Joneses, your calendar, and what everyone else tells you is “normal,” don’t buy the hype. Put everything else on hold for a few moments while you step outside and take a calm, patient walk with the Lord. All your tasks will still be there when you return. Jesus stands just beyond your door, eager to walk with you along the way. Join Him.
Excerpt*
Fortunately, we have not been asked or commanded to keep that pace. Poolside, like a Lifeguard to His excited children, God lovingly reminds us, “Be careful, just walk.” He does not want us slipping or falling (Psalm 17:5; 37:31; 38:16; 56:13; 66:8-9; Proverbs 3:21-23). In truth, He often keeps us from doing so, invisibly holding our hands and sustaining our feet as we carelessly race upon slippery paths (2 Samuel 22:37; Psalm 18:36; 73:2, 23; 94:18).
*From the book, Do Nothing, if you haven’t read it yet.
Action
Take a brief walk outdoors. It would be best to drop everything and do it right now, but if you must wait, try to make the time later today. Don’t take any electronics with you, either; just enjoy the natural sounds around you. As you do so, act like you’re on a walk with a Friend, because—get this—you are.
Reflection
Why do you feel so pressured to hurry up your pace in life?
Tip: Keep journaling.
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