"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matt 11:28-30 The Message
I have often felt that life spins around me at a much faster pace than I feel I can keep up with. I used to feel stressed about this, as if I was slow and behind. Over time I’ve realised my desire for slowness is not a flaw but a gift. As the world spins on around me, I believe it’s ok to step out in a slower pace, where your body and mind can keep up with each other. Where creativity has a space to flow and most importantly where there is space to listen for God’s voice, the voices of our families and those around us.
Many years ago, on a New Year’s Eve, when our first 3 children were pre-schoolers, Andy and I sat in bed and prayed and wondered (to the sound of fireworks) about the year ahead. As we did, a picture started to form in my mind.
The walk is hard, each step crunches beneath my feet, the ground hard with winters frost, up the hill I go. Behind me the clutter of the previous year - half started projects and last year's gifts, some well used others barely touched. Gifts I'm not sure how to cope with. I press on my heart beating with the cold air, the mixture of excitement and uncertainty over challenges ahead. This walk in previous years has led me to challenges I'm not sure I can cope with and expectations of myself that I can never attain.
I reach the drystone wall and the bend in the path which tell of the hilltop just ahead. I stand for a moment catching my breath, looking at what's behind and preparing myself. I start again, a slight jog this time as anxiety gives way to curiosity.
The top; I gasp, this time not from the cold but by what's before me. The late afternoon sun shines down over the valley, the frost glistening in the low light, a river at the bottom gently babbles, a mist is now starting to hang in the valley......nothing else appears, just a beautiful valley. In previous years I have seen my dreams and fears laid before me and have never taken much notice of the valley. But this year there is only the valley - why God?
"This year is not filled with things, it is my year for you. As you look at this valley you can start to imagine the seasons and how it will change - but do not fill it with clutter, just allow me to reveal what I have for you."
As I start to descend into the valley, I know this year will be different, as the mist descends so I feel God's peace gently lighting on me. I make my way down enjoying all around me. I hear a bird sing and know that God is starting to reveal His plans for the year ahead.
On many, many days and years since this picture, I’ve said to God: What next? Where do you want me? What shall I do? I sense He says that nothing has changed, just accept what I put before you. It could be seen as the easy life, but it’s not. It takes patience and trust in God to walk with what He puts before you, to not run after the things you might see in the distance, to keep the steady rhythm of the here and now. To find beauty and contentment in the ‘every day’.
There is a gift in living this way, a simple, slower life can help nurture contentment and that is a gift we can share with those around us. As we live slower, simplicity is easier and living a life that is lighter on the world seems a clearer choice.
I often make mistakes but it’s a journey and these are important lessons too!