Been thinking a lot lately about the rhythm of our lives, and how it affects us. I used to want to move so fast. Now, I look forward to the chance to slow down.

What I’m realizing is that we as humans, especially in America, are conditioned for busyness–yet we actually crave rest. To put it more specifically, we have so many things to keep our hands and eyes busy, yet what we really want, at our core, is rest for our heart and mind.

We want peace.

Listen to this quote from CS Lewis:

“We live, in fact, in a world starved for silence…and therefore starved for meditation and true friendship.”

The truth is, we long for the things that come with the slower life–a clear mind, authenticity, the feeling of really knowing others and being known by others, all the while, knowing that we’re accepted. But again, these deep, fulfilling things only come through a somewhat unhurried, simplified lifestyle.

As I said before, I used to want to move so fast. “Keep it movin,” that was my mantra. This event, that party, move on to the next thing…and no real harm done; I mean, I go to church, don’t I?  Matter of fact, I’m a self-proclaimed Christian. I’m a ministry leader among my peers. My parents have been pastors since before I can remember…

In reality, though, there was something deeper going on. At the root, this fast-paced lifestyle was all really motivated by an unhealthy self-focus in my life. I was full of myself.  Maybe not always overtly arrogant–but again, self-focused, “consumer-minded”– just living for myself, living off other people’s view of me, their impression of me…and why slow down?  After all, this is the best it gets.

But then, the very best thing happened: God got a hold of me. And I don’t mean the God that fiercely whips you into shape–that molds you into his own little play-dough figure and makes you into someone you never wanted to be…no, I knew that “God.”  I began to see the God that was in support of me. The God that was trustworthy to steer my life and guide my heart outside of Sundays and Wednesdays. The God that loved me IN my brokenness–that embraced me IN my dirtiness, and who, even before I could try to prove my dedication to him, proved His dedication to me by loving me first! (1 John 4:10)

All the moral checklists that this church boy could have marked off–meant nothing. Only the blood of Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, provided what my heart longed for; a clear conscience, acceptance, identity, security, purpose. And my friend, you who are reading, THIS is what caused me to slow down. This is what caused me to get my eyes off of myself–little ol’ me, and put them on the Great–and Good God, whose thoughts are precious and countless toward me and you (Psalm 139:17-18).  The God who pursues us, and who stoops down to wash our feet…when we would least expect it (John 13:3-8).

I’ll tell you, understanding that God is not only good enough to save us for Heaven (which is, in and of itself, inconceivable), but that He is actually good enough to meet our deepest needs NOW here on earth…now that will slow down my hurried heart.

I just want to invite you to open up to Jesus. He has taken the bullet for your sin, finished the job, and now you can freely receive God’s gift; forgiveness of sin, and a new, clean identity – based on the free gift of Jesus, and a trusting, loving, relationship with God. If you who are reading are a Christian, I just pray for a vibrant trust in God that you’ve never had. I pray for an overwhelming ache to slow down and see God as the God who meets your deepest needs in a very real way. I pray that those legitimate needs you have of acceptance, identity, security and purpose will be met solely in Christ Jesus. Wherever you are, whatever you’re looking for, I pray God meets you there.

Father, speak to my friends today.  Bring others along their way who will encourage their walk with you, and who will love them well. I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.

Love you guys

Ben