“ Yes, I understand that turning back or waiting for others slows you down, but only at first. The deliberate extension of goodness, generosity, and wisdom always wins out in the end.” ~~ Lisa Bevere, “Lioness Arising: Wake Up and Change Your World”
When I was first diagnosed with cancer the pain in my back where the bone cancer had showed up was tremendous. My co-workers who I had been walking with daily had to slow down in order for me to even slightly stay caught up. Often they would even put me out in front to establish the pace.
They definitely could have gone further and faster in the time we had to walk but they were willing to hold themselves back in order to help me. They knew the doctor wanted me to get my exercise and our daily walks during our breaks was a great way to get it. So they made the sacrifice.
Looking back over the years I can name several people who did that for me when I was a young Christian learning to walk. They definitely could have gotten where they wanted to be further and faster but they chose to stay with me and help me along at my current pace.
It’s like holding on to the hand of a two or three year old child just learning to walk. They slow us down a great deal but it’s important we stay with them for the time being. Give them a few years when they are 15 or 16 years old or even younger and they will be the ones running circles around us wondering why we’re not the one who are “hurrying up.”
Slowing down for someone else spiritually to walk along beside them at their pace doesn’t have to slow down our spiritual growth. Believe it or not it can help us grow further and faster when we use our energies to serve others in this way. The Bible tells us to pass along to the younger generation that which we have learned and we can do that by staying with them, not harping on them to “hurry up” but encouraging them that they can make it if they don’t give up.
God would have no children if He expected us to keep up with Him. He was willing to slow down long enough to get us going to where we need to be and we need to do the same for others. It is a journey that will get us to where we need to be further and faster than anything else at God’s speed, at God’s pace.
© 2011 Karen J Gillett @ Pencil Marks and Recipes Publishing
2 comments:
I feel like I continually need someone slowing down for me. Does a person ever arrive? I'm thankful for people who've helped me along the way as you are.
I have felt that way too, that everyone was always having to slow down for me. Its great to have those with that kind of patience and concern.
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