Slow Down A Bit

We seem to live in a world that is always in a hurry. People rushing to work or to do their daily chores. People wanting everything instantly rather than having to wait. People speeding on the road or always doing one thing after another as if there's no tomorrow. I guess this is not helped by 24 hour news and social media with quick changing and often conflicting headlines. 

The thought occurred to me that if we want to be more like Jesus perhaps we should slow down a little.

You never read about Him in the Bible rushing from one place to another. There are moments when He stopped to rest and pray, when He went away from the hustle a bustle of the crowds seeking His attention. 

When He met up with those in need He often did so with patience, and dealt with people on a one-to-one basis. He did not click His fingers and heal a multitude in one go.

One day, on His way to Jairus house whose daughter had just died, (Matthew 9:18-26, Luke 8:40-56, Mark 5:21-43), a woman who had been suffering from a haemorrhage for twelve years came behind Him and touched His clothes. He did not say to her, "just wait your turn, can't you see I'm busy?"

He stopped and seeing her faith He healed her and then went on His way to Jairus house.

On another occasion, we see Jesus tired and weary from His travels and He sits by a well to have a rest, (John 4:5 onwards). He is approached by a Samaritan woman who came to draw water from the well. In those days, Samaritans and Jews did not associate with each other. Jesus starts a conversation which ended in her and her townsfolk believing in Jesus.

So if even Jesus found town in His schedule to stop and rest, should we not also slow down and every now and then take time to enjoy God's creations and to thank Him in prayer.