WHAT IS YOUR SPIRITUAL SPEED LIMIT?

“Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.” – James 5:7-8.

Have you ever fast-forwarded a movie to bypass the scenes that don’t seem important to get to the scenes you think are important, only to find out you didn’t understand a big chunk of the storyline because you missed half the film? If you want to enjoy a movie, you have to watch it at the speed the writer intended. Only then will we be able to appreciate the cinematography, the cast of characters, the depths of tragedy, and the moments of joy as they unfold. It’s the same with the story of our lives. God has all the scenes in mind, each character in place. For us to enjoy and understand it, we must view our lives at the speed limit that God intended.

Most people operate at an ever-increasing speed limit. Our to-do lists seem to grow faster than we have time for. We hurry in the morning. Hurry on the road. Hurry at work. Hurry between meetings, and in meetings, and over meals. Hurry to do more on evenings and weekends than we realistically have time for. In our hurried world, we often feel pressured to rush through life, even in our spiritual journey, mistaking a frenetic pace for genuine devotion. But just like a car driving too fast on the highway can miss the beauty of the landscape, rushing through our spiritual life can prevent us from truly experiencing God’s presence and the depth of His love.

Psalm 46:10 says, ”Be still, and know that I am God!…” This verse reminds us that genuine connection with God often requires slowing down, quieting our minds, and creating space for His voice to be heard clearly. By consciously setting a “spiritual speed limit,” we can be more present in the moment, savoring the blessings of our daily lives and appreciating the small miracles God orchestrates around us. Slowing down allows us to cultivate deeper connections with loved ones, truly listening and engaging with them on a spiritual level. When we constantly resist the urge to chase after the next big thing, we can find greater inner peace and stability in our faith journey. Evaluate your schedule and prioritize activities that nourish your spirit, letting go of things that drain your energy and focus. And slowing time allows us to appreciate how God demonstrates His goodness to us.

So as we begin another year, how can we begin to practice the spiritual habit of slowing down? Bookend your day by giving God your attention. It was said of the German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer that he would begin and end his day in silence so that God would always have the first and last word.

When we want to move at a pace that is faster than His will, pause for a moment and wait on God. When life seems to be spinning out of control, ask God to help us block the noise so He can direct us and align His will with ours.

Discussion Questions:

Is your spiritual speed limit too fast? Why do you think that is?
What are some practical ways we can maintain the right spiritual speed?