Slow down. Relax. Remember.
In stark contrast with the hyper-busyness and sometimes ADD nature of many Christians in North America, actions like reflecting and remembering are very biblical forms of true worship. The idea of “remembrance” is repeated over and over again throughout the Old and New Testaments in conjunction with worshiping our God.
I have to admit, it’s been too long since I made an asserted effort to slow down. It’s ironic how those two actions smack of oxymoron when placed together in the same sentence. Perhaps that is proof how far off-track we’ve become in this age of efficiency, productivity, and hyperactivity. Now, I know there is a time for hard work and a strong ethic that produces calluses on the hands. Jesus knew about hard work and carpenter’s calluses, and the rest of us do, too. Yet he also approached the world at 2.1 miles an hour.
The Speed of a Walk
Yes, that’s right – just the speed of an average man’s walk. He might have traveled just a bit faster than this when he rode on the back of a donkey. But considering the stubborn nature of those ornery animals, he probably didn’t top out much better than 5 miles per hour. I wonder… how much time would you and I have for remembering God and His story in our lives if we traveled at the speed of a walk? What if there were no cell phones? … no TV shows to watch or Internet apps to download? … no cars, trucks, planes, or even bicycles?
Reflect. Give Thanks.
I wonder... if the things we sometimes are most grateful for are the same things that crowd out our daily clock from time to simply remember God. So, as we approach Thanksgiving this week, let’s remember to set aside time to slow down to the speed of a walk (and leave the smartphone at home). I think we might be amazed by how much time we may have to worship God, by simply remembering. I think I just might go for a walk…. see you along the trail of life!
Sit back, reflect, and remember all God has done in us, for us, and through us.
Something to think about: Let’s follow King David’s call to praise and thank the Lord Almighty!
“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him; sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered, O offspring of Israel his servant, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!” (1 Chron. 16:8-13)
The Apostle Paul also calls us to remember in Ephesians 2:1-6, 11-13:
“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. . . . Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands – remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (NASB)
Remembering what God has done in the past changes how we walk by faith in the present.
What will you remember of God and His story in your life today? I’d love to hear about it… so comment below!
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him and lean on His Word! Have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving season.
