It's worth saying again. Slow down.

A recurring theme keeps showing up in both my journal and these daily devotions.

Slow down.

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March 9, 2020 - The story of the Tortoise and the Hare has kept coming up recently. I believe God is trying to tell me that pace matters, and I should never live faster than the pace of relationships. Action movies aside, no one boards a fast-moving train. We should never be so enamored with ourselves, our goals, or our methods that we miss the people in our lives. Family. Friends. Coworkers. Anyone who comes across our path. Jesus taught us to show love to them all.

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How did we stray so far from the heart of God? The pace at which we try to live harms not only our own wellbeing, but others as well. Hear my heart son. People both deserve and need to be seen—to know they are valued. The healing and restoration of our soul is connected to belonging. Like many animals, we tend to thrive as a part of herd.

Melissa Elischer of Michigan State University explains how group living benefits familiar prey animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and horses. They have safety through shared vigilance, protection in numbers, and freedom afforded to meet their other needs.  

Yes! I guess that makes humans a familiar prey animal as well. We need those same things—safety and freedom to know our needs are met. Why do I go on and on about this? Because, it is important that we get off the fast-moving train. I’m pretty sure our enemy is the one who’s driving it. See and value people. Invest your time and energy in relationships. Start with God, then open your eyes and notice the people in your life.

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