SLOWING THE PACE OF YOUR RACE: Learning to avoid the hurry in the midst of the busy!
One of my favorite verses of scripture comes from Psalm 46. It was written by (or possible for) the Sons of Korah. You probably know the psalm. It’s a powerful reminder of God’s power. It states:
1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. — Psalm 46:1-4 (NIV)
And then in verse 10, we’re told:
“Be still, and know that I am God…” — Psalm 46:1-4; 10 (NIV)
Introduction:
As leaders…it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the chaos around us — and get so swept up into BUSY of ministry…that we live HURRIED…missing the supernatural moments that God has for us.
So, this morning — I want to talk with you about how we can manage the BUSY and slow-down the PACE of our RACE!
In Matthew’s gospel — in chapter 14, he tells the awful story of Herod’s birthday party. A party which began with a dance and ended with a beheading. The beheading of John the baptists, (Jesus’ older cousin).
In Matthew 14, he describes how Jesus’ reaction to hearing about this. In verse 13 he writes,
13 As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. 14 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.” 17 “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered. 18 “Bring them here,” he said. 19 Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. 20 They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. 21 About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children! 22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. — Matthew 14:13-23
I find it interesting that even in the wake of loss, and the challenge of ministry — Jesus still demonstrated to his disciples (and to us), the art of managing the busy without becoming hurried.
Just a few observations. Jesus’ own example reminds us that it’s essential that we:
1. Prioritize the Eternal over the Temporal:
When we make God our priority — when we put His kingdom above our own, when we allow God to guide our moments, we experience His power and presence. For Jesus, this happens several times in this story but we see it when he hears the news of the loss of his cousin — but then, while looking to retreat, seizes the opportunity to teach and feed a crowd.
In the sermon on the mount, Jesus said:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” — Matthew 6:33
For Jesus, the miracle of the feeding never would have happened if he hadn’t been willing to put prioritize the ETERNAL over the TEMPORAL.
What’s that look like in your life? I’m assuming it means being intentional about welcoming those GOD moments into your busy schedules.
Don’t allow your schedule to overshadow the significant God moments in your day.
Secondly, Jesus teaches us to:
2. Prioritize the Presence of God:
This is seen twice in this one story.
As Jesus hears the bad news of loss — he turns to get alone with God.
In the midst of that move — God leads him somewhere else. But after feeding the 5000 and teaching the crowd, what does he do? Verse 22 says,
22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. — Matthew 14:22-23
Nothing kept him from his time with His father.
In the midst of a demanding schedule, it is crucial that we too prioritize our relationship and time with God.
The intentional time ALONE with God — the discipline of solitude can be practiced in a variety of ways: it can be a walk in woods, quiet time in the backyard, you can find solace in journaling, or reading and meditating on Scripture, or expressing your love for God by listening to him while you do something creative — draw, paint, play an instrument.
However you do it…make time to be alone with God. So, pray, and meditate, and study, and worship, and listen to the voice of the Spirit,
Just remember, consistency is KEY!
Set aside a specific time and be intentional about engaging with God.
Schedule it on your calendar. It’s worth the effort.
Alright, I came up with about 6 more aspects…but I’ll just give you one more.
3. Surrender the Reins of Control:
I think this is especially difficult for top-level leaders like you. Because, as ministers (and pastors, and presbyters, and executive leaders), our roles demand our ability to navigate chaos with control…and decisiveness. Taking control of moments or programs or systems is a part of our calling.
Even so, one of the primary contributors to a hurried pace is our tendency to quickly seize control of moments, or problems, or challenges, and the chaos.
However, true rest flows from the act of surrender. And specifically, surrounding control to the Lord Jesus.
Recognizing that God is sovereign and trustworthy, we can release our burdens and anxieties into His capable hands. As we relinquish our need for control, we find peace and freedom in knowing that God is working all things together for our good.
Sometimes our rush to respond to moments leads us to pick up things that we should lay down. It causes us to fail at discerning what is essential and what is simply distracting. Holding to tightly to the reins of control has a tendency to entrap us by the tyranny of the urgent.
One more observation from Matthew 14. As we read a moment ago, after feeding the 5000, Matthew says,
22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. — Matthew 14:22
Don’t miss this — Jesus could have stepped into that boat with them. But he didn’t.
Instead, he sent his team out ahead of him (in the boat)…and again, he paused.
And that divine pause prepared him for one of the greatest moments in the gospels. After slowing down his pace — He then WALKED ON WATER!
So, slow down. Surrender the reins of control to God…and rest!
When the ministry moments rise, ask the Lord, “do I need to GET IN THAT BOAT or should I send someone else out to ride the waves?”
Prayer with me:
Heavenly Father, we come before You, acknowledging the busyness and urgency that often overwhelms our lives. We confess that we have allowed the tyranny of the urgent to consume our thoughts and actions, losing sight of Your perfect timing and purposes. Today, we surrender our need for control and invite You to guide us. Grant us wisdom, O Lord, to discern what is truly important from what is merely urgent. Help us to seek Your guidance in every decision we make, aligning our ways with Your will. Teach us patience and restraint, that we may be still before You and wait for Your perfect timing to unfold in our lives. We embrace the Sabbath principle, Lord, recognizing the value of rest and rejuvenation in our journey. May we set aside time to connect with You, to find solace and renewal in Your presence. Remind us that our worth is not based on our productivity, but on our relationship with You. We place our trust in You, Heavenly Father, knowing that You make all things beautiful in Your time. Give us the faith to release our need for control and to trust in Your sovereignty. Help us to surrender the burden of the urgent and to walk in the peace and confidence that come from knowing You are in control. Thank You, Lord, for Your grace and mercy. May Your Spirit guide us as we navigate the demands of life, empowering us to manage the busy without becoming hurried. May our lives be a testimony to Your peace and rest in the midst of a chaotic world. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.