Have you ever struggled with being slow? Did you ever wish that you were speedier and arrived at the finish line of a project or competition quicker?
There have been innumerable occasions when I’ve bemoaned the fact that I’m slow. For example, when I was in elementary school, I was almost the slowest runner in my class. That wasn’t enjoyable at Field Day every year, nor when I was often tagged out in a kickball game. In high school, I was one of the slowest members on my basketball team – eventually, I lumbered my way down to where I was supposed to be.
I’m also a slow reader. I have friends who read three or four books to every one book that I can read. Sometimes, my friends try to help me feel good about my reading speed by telling me that I’m thorough and that I have amazing comprehension or retention. Maybe that’s true, but the reality is that I’m a slow reader.
While I’ve often thought that being slow wasn’t good, I’m also seeing that there are some good benefits to speeds that are less zippy. For example, with my slow reading, I find that I absorb and digest stuff, specifically from the Bible, more thoroughly. Being slow with reading the Bible also helps me to have deeper insights and reflections. To this end, I purposefully slow down even more (reading the Hebrew or Greek) so that I can more wholly be present with what I’m reading rather than blazing past the content in high accomplishment mode.
I’m also coming to appreciate that being slow in my relationships can help me to avoid hurts and misunderstandings that I’ve often experienced with hasty friendships. Indeed, some of my best relationships have the longest runways. In contrast, my speedy friendships have often included hurtful conflicts and poor communication.
To this end, I think it’s really helpful to keep a long game perspective in our relationships, particularly with God. The long game can be more rewarding in contrast to short term transactions and pious compliances. Being with God can often be more fulfilling in the long run, than various short term speedy accomplishments.
Finally, with all this consideration related to speed and being slow, I’m reminded of what it says in Psalm 27:14, “Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.” While we don’t know exactly what was happening to David when he wrote this Psalm, we see David acknowledging God to be his help, protection, strength and hope throughout all of this Psalm. David’s final words, in verse fourteen, emphasize waiting on God.
It’s important for us to spend some moments thinking about David’s words, where he tells us to wait on God. This is essential because we live in a “microwave world” where speed and efficiency are tools for accomplishment and value. But let’s recognize and value that taking time, marinading, waiting, slowing down and both reflective and methodical pacing are vital ingredients for maturation and living a deeply satisfying life. Sometimes, speed can be the enemy to deep fulfillment.
3 Responses
So true. Thanks very much. Speed is the enemy of wisdom and learning of all kinds. “Push them through” is the worst disservice a school or teacher can do for a student. Our schools have missed the point here, disregarding God’s instruction (again) and losing the benefits of taking the time to give the student a clear understanding. For example, many students in our public school district graduate with only 5th-grade reading skills and practically no ability to communicate effectively, because they are “protected” from the consequences of hard work and patient persistence. Thus the blessing of wisdom is stolen from them and from their society.
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Thank you, Sarah. I have never seen an article like this. I am slower in nature and have been unable through various attempts, to change my God- given speed without sacrificing important things. (I have even been called a turtle!:).) I love to journal and meditate on Scripture and have to guard that time tho I can be inconsistent. But the Lord reminds me that “slow and steady wins the race”. Many around me have made many strides beyond me in appearance and it boggles my mind – and much of what He does through them are wonders to behold! But choosing to embrace my speed in faith as I march on gives me great peace. Thank you for this article.
I am truly learning to slow down. I have always moved at a fast but steady pace because I thought I could get more done. But I have learned that if you move to fast you more than likely make more mistakes and have to redo what could have been done correctly in the first place by slowing down. Also, moving at a slow and steady pace allows you to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit because you are putting your trust in Him to lead and guide you. It helps you know the difference between flesh and Spirit when it comes to making decisions.