Life Is Better When You're Not In A Hurry

It's easy to get caught up in this fast paced society we live in. After all, everything is geared for speed. Our cars are fast, our food is fast, our internet is fast (or sometimes fast). However, I recently was reminded that life is better when you're not in a hurry. 

Driving down a busy highway one morning on my way to the beach, I decided to drive the speed limit, 50 mph. I began to realize something. It was kind of nice! I was starting to enjoy just cruising along at an easy pace.

I was broken out of my trance by a glance in the rear view mirror. There was a line of about 10 cars behind me! I had to get going, so I wound her up to 57 mph. No more relaxing now. However, soon I came upon a car going 35 in a 50! A "pokey"!!! (A pokey is defined as someone who is driving UNDER the speed limit).

After the road eventually went into 4 lanes, I got by and lost sight of him in my rear view mirror.  I came upon a red traffic light, and as usual, I was the first one at the light. (This happens all the time to me because I have this "first one at the red light" curse. It's hereditary.) But before the light turned green, guess who pulled up right behind me -- the Pokey!! I was the hare, and he was the tortoise.

Did you ever notice that when you pass someone, a couple of traffic lights or stop signs later will nullify your lead and you will find them right behind you? So maybe the tortoise has the right idea. Being in a hurry isn't always the winning way.  

Sometimes Jesus slowed down His
pace. That leads me to sharing my life verse. (A life verse is a favorite Bible verse that one choses as their own life motto.) Here's mine:

On the same day, Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. (Matthew 13:1 NKJV)

As the saying goes, "what would Jesus do"? If Jesus took time to get away, slow down, and sit by the sea, it's good enough for me! Time on the beach is my perfect solitude time. There's just something peaceful about the sight of the vast sea and the rhythm of the waves.

The moral of the story.......in your busy day-to-day life, take time to take a breather, even if for just a moment. Try to find a little solitude. Remind yourself about the image of Jesus sitting by the sea. Place yourself there, and inhale a deep breath of the fresh sea air.

And work on some things that help you not be in a hurry - like getting  up a little earlier, like leaving you home a little early, like scheduling in some quiet time. Even try to drive the speed limit once in a while. (Just don't be a pokey.)

And remember, life is better when you're not in a hurry.