The Habit of Slowing

In our fast-paced, always-on society, it's become increasingly difficult to find moments of stillness. Our minds race from one task to the next, constantly planning, worrying, and striving. Even as we lay our heads down at night, our thoughts refuse to quiet. This anxious striving, as described in Ecclesiastes 2:22-23, leaves us feeling drained and unfulfilled:

"What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless."

But what if there was a better way? What if we could cultivate habits that lead to a healthier heart and a more peaceful mind? The key lies in developing the habit of slowing down.

Learning from Jesus' Example

When we look at Jesus' life, we see someone who had the most important mission in the history of the world. He had just three years to recruit and train his disciples, heal the sick, teach about the Kingdom of God, fulfill prophecies, and ultimately give his life as a sacrifice for all of humanity. Talk about pressure!

Yet, in the midst of this monumental task, Jesus consistently and intentionally created space in his life. He regularly disconnected from the crowds, drowned out the noise of society, and silenced distractions. Why? Because he understood a fundamental truth: there is no such thing as intimacy without intentionality.

This principle applies to all our relationships – with our spouses, children, friends, and most importantly, with God. We cannot expect to have a deep, meaningful connection with the Divine if we don't make time for it. As the saying goes, "You can't busy your way to God."

The Power of Solitude and Silence

Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus modeling this habit of slowing down:

- Mark 1:35 tells us, "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."
- Before starting his ministry (Luke 4:1-2)
- Before making important decisions (Luke 6:12-13)
- After a long, hard day of work (Matthew 14:23)
- After ministering to large crowds (Luke 5:15-16)
- After losing a close friend (Matthew 14:10-13)

Jesus consistently withdrew to quiet places to pray, reflect, and commune with his Father. This wasn't just a nice add-on to his busy schedule; it was the very source of his strength and guidance.

The Danger of an Empty Cup

Many of us find ourselves constantly pouring out – giving our time, energy, and resources to others. We go from one responsibility to the next, barely catching our breath. By the end of the day, our cup is empty. We have nothing left to give.

But here's the truth: you can't give what you don't have. If we want to live the abundant life Jesus promised, we need to learn to fill our cups regularly. This means creating intentional pauses in our lives, just as Jesus did.

Finding Our Value in Being, Not Doing

One reason we struggle to slow down is that we've bought into the lie that our value comes from what we do – our accomplishments, our productivity, our performance. We're afraid to be still because we think our worth is tied to our busyness.

But consider this: When did Jesus become valuable to God? It wasn't after he performed miracles or preached sermons. At his baptism, before his public ministry even began, God declared, "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased" (Luke 3:22). God loved Jesus for who he was, not for what he had done.

The same is true for us. Our value doesn't come from our achievements or our busy schedules. It comes from being children of God, loved unconditionally.

Practicing the Habit of Slowing

So how do we cultivate this habit of slowing in our own lives? Jesus gives us clear instructions in Matthew 6:6:

"Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace."

Here are some practical steps:

1. Be intentional: It won't happen by accident. Schedule time for solitude and silence.
2. Find a quiet place: Remove distractions and create a space where you can be alone with God.
3. Be consistent: Work towards making this a regular habit, not just an occasional occurrence.
4. Be honest: Don't try to perform or impress God. Come as you are, with all your doubts, fears, and struggles.
5. Listen: Allow space for God to speak to your heart.

Remember, this isn't about isolation, which can lead to self-pity or unhealthy behaviors. It's about solitude – intentional time set aside to hear from Heaven and connect with your Heavenly Father.

A Call to Be Still

In Psalm 46:10, we're given this powerful invitation: "Be still and know that I am God." Not "be busy," not "be successful," not even "be disciplined." Simply "be still."

In our culture of constant noise and activity, this call to stillness can feel uncomfortable, even countercultural. But it's in these moments of quiet that we truly come to know God. It's where we surrender our illusion of control and come face to face with who we really are – and who God is.

As you go about your week, I challenge you to intentionally create space for stillness. Press pause on the busyness. Set aside the distractions. Allow your soul to speak honestly with God – whether that's in praise, lament, anger, or desperate need.

In these moments of slowing, you'll find that the focus shifts from you to Him. And in His presence, you'll discover the peace, strength, and guidance you've been searching for all along.

Remember: You can't busy your way to God. But in stillness, you can know Him. And knowing Him is the greatest adventure of all.