Slowing Down

A New Year is a natural time to reflect. How did the previous year go? How can I recalibrate? How do I continue with momentum or switch course?

This New Year was a different exercise for myself in that I am consciously stepping back. I could sense a spirit of slow down; rest. In the last six years, I have moved at a blistering, concerted pace. I moved across the country, completed a rigorous full-time Masters program; moved back in with my family; searched for a full-time job at the beginning of the pandemic; wrote a book; rekindled a relationship; got engaged; moved again; got married; got a new job; published a journal; wrote a tv pilot; got pregnant. 

During this time, my pace was guided by goals, visions from God, to-do lists and timelines. I worked with fervor; I held myself accountable. But now when I ask God what’s the next immediate move, I sense a calling to the present. The present is a place God is always guiding me to. I can get excited for the future and I can praise Him for victories in the past; but the present is where I need to get more conscious. 

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him…” (Psalm 37:7)

In my stillness, I’m keeping a ready ear and heart for His guidance for the day. Who would He have me send a text to? Send an Instagram Direct Message to? What is the task for the day?

I’m trusting in this reliant motion, God is building bricks in my life. It’s so easy to enjoy the vision of the completed picture but get overwhelmed with the seemingly endless steps to get there. But it is in the in-between that God does His work. Through the discipline of being present and obedient, I’m confident we’ll get there.

There are several instances in the Bible where figures of faith were anointed then had a period of building before the vision came to pass. For example, David was anointed to be king of Israel in secret and returned to faithfully tending to sheep. When Saul needed assistance, God moved David into place.

“Saul’s attendants said to him, ‘See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord commend his servants here to search for someone who can play the harp. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes upon you, and you will feel better.” So Saul said to his attendants, 'Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.’ One of the servants answered, ‘I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.’ Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, ‘Send your son David, who is with the sheep.’” (1 Samuel 16:15-19)

I love the commentary for the verses at the end of this chapter, 1 Samuel 16:19-21 (Life Application Study Bible, NIV): “When Saul asked David to be in his service, he obviously did not know that David had been secretly anointed king (16:2). Saul’s invitation presented an excellent opportunity for the young man and future king to gain firsthand information about leading a nation. Sometimes our plans–even the ones we think God has approved–have to be put on hold indefinitely. Like David, we can use this waiting time profitably. We can choose to learn and grow in our present circumstances, whatever they may be.”

In my present circumstances, the timing couldn’t be better for me to slow down. In a few short months, my husband and I will be welcoming our first child. With so many mysteries and joys surrounding motherhood, I don’t want the early days to pass by because I’m beholden to rigorous goals or tight deadlines. Luckily children are notorious for living in the present. It is their full existence. A quote from a HuffPost article, “Children don't worry about the future; they play and enjoy every moment for what it is. They easily forget the past, and the future is very tough for them to grasp. That's why when your child asks you to come and play, they mean now, and they can't handle the "I'll play with you a bit later" response.” 

I like this quote in the article from the author of Winnie-the-Pooh:

"What day is it?"

It's today," squeaked Piglet.

My favorite day," said Pooh."

-- A.A. Milne

Whether you have kids or not, I think it’s great practice to embrace the present. When Jesus is teaching us to pray in the New Testament, He gives us a great model/outline to follow in the Lord’s Prayer.

“Give us today our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11)

Commentary (Life Application Study Bible, NIV): “When we pray ‘Give us today our daily bread,’ we are acknowledging that God is our sustainer and provider. It is a misconception to think that we provide for our needs ourselves. We must trust God daily to provide what He knows we need.”

We serve a loving Father who is faithful. No matter what season we are in, we can praise Him.

“O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.” 

(Isaiah 25:1)