We want things to happen fast.
Stopped at a red light, we wait for it to change. But the car behind you honks the horn the split second it turns green. Why? Slowpokes slow them down.
It has brought on a new condition called slowness rage. Chelsea Wald described her own struggle:
Not long ago, I diagnosed myself with the recently identified condition of sidewalk rage. It’s most pronounced when it comes to a certain friend who is a slow walker. Last month, as we sashayed our way to dinner, I found myself biting my tongue, thinking, I have to stop going places with her if I ever want to … get there!
With instantaneous communication and on-demand entertainment, the concept of patience has disappeared. In fact, Harmut Rosa says the speed of human movement has increased by a factor of 100.
Yet, things that last take more time than a Twitter tweet. God took centuries to get the plan to redeem man in place. He never rushed.
For us, spiritual depth never develops through a single class or presentation. We have no 30-minute coaching session to spiritual maturity. Instead, it is as Isaiah said,
“Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:30–31)
Don’t walk too fast. God leads at measured paces. Slow down and walk with God, not ahead of him. Then, you will get where you need to be when you need to be there.
-Robert G. Taylor-
