17 August, 2016

Thoughts on the Pace of Life



A few weeks ago, I was driving through a large city, and the contrast was so great compared to the roads I typically drive, I had a rant about it in my diary later on:

…I think I’ve hit upon a fact. When you’re driving quieter roads, you can pay attention to people. You notice drivers, and feel a kinship if you follow someone for a while. You wave on the quieter roads, you notice people, even in town. In the city, it’s looking out for yourself; survival of the fittest. You just make sure you’re going where you want to go. You can’t befriend the cars in the rear-vision mirror – you don’t have time to notice. You can’t get a glimpse of driver’s faces – it’s divided road. You’ve just got to do what you’ve got to do to make it through. That’s the thought pervading everywhere. It’s tiring. It’s existing, not living. And I guess that’s why the open roads and country towns are my favourite. The pace allows for breathing, observing, and soaking in life, and the beauty of it all.

We want fast paced – fast cars, better roads; faster internet, better computers; faster food, faster entertainment. But speed doesn’t equal happiness, contentment, or security. Fast is a lonely place, a place of competition and hollow striving – a place where we’re running so fast we don’t have time to get to know others, so we judge.

…Have you ever wondered why we speak of a ‘walk with God’? I mean, have you heard someone inquire, “How’s your run with God?” Think – can you hold hands when you’re running, sprinting, dashing? No, you’ve got to put all your energies into gaining speed, maintaining balance, and conserving energy. But how about a walk? You can hold hands, you can admire the clouds, and flowers, and how tall the trees grow… We were made to walk.

My siblings (who are trying to start a fire in the photo above) and I camped on the back of the ute the other night for my brother's birthday. We drove up to the saddle between some hills at the back of our place, and parked on the flattest ground we could find. My brother got a fire going, and we sat around it watching the flames and sparks, throwing more logs on, playing with sparklers, listening to music, and talking. The moon was so bright we barely needed torches. We arranged our sleeping bags, blankets and doonas (it is winter here, after all) on the back of the ute, under the plastic my brother put over it to keep us (mostly) dry for the night. It was cozy, and warm. We woke up to the sun rising through the fog - one of my favourite scenes. We relit the fire, and sat around it warming our cold fingers,  reading Psalm 140, and thinking about how David could've been sitting around a campfire in the bush when he wrote that psalm.

I wonder how many people have experienced life at that pace? I wonder how many people know what it's like to go out in nature and pause and listen, even for just a few minutes? I wonder how many people know how refreshing it is to slow down

It's like everything else - there needs to be a balance between exciting, fast days, and quiet moments. It's just finding that balance that's the hardest thing. We need to be energetic, but not rush along so fast that we miss out on the beauty around us. After all, God does say “Be still, and know me.” 

Anyway, that's my thoughts on the pace of life. I feel like I've just blabbed on though, so tell me: what are your thoughts on the pace of life? And do you prefer city or country driving? What do you think about a walk vs run relationship with God? How do you make time for quiet moments?

38 comments:

  1. This is a beautiful post, Jessica, and so true! <3 Thank you for sharing these thoughts. Very relatable to the very stressful, hectic season of my life with examinations and so forth. To walk in trust with God. Yes all the way.

    And country-roads, and forming an attachment to the lonely car in front of you ;). Yes to that too.

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    1. Oh, thank you Joy! Yes, it seems we're all busy these days - I hope your exams, and everything else you have on, go well.

      I'm someone else feels an attachment to other road users too. :) Thanks for your comment - it's nice to hear from you!

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  2. How beautiful, Jessica! Everyone definitely is way too busy these days, and sometimes we need to slow down!

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    1. Thanks - all praise to God. :) Yes, I think a lot of us would do well to slow down more often!

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  3. So true!!! We NEED to slow down in life and enjoy the moments, but especially enjoy Him. I think we often rush through our quiet times, check it off, and get on with our day instead of just listening...being quiet...being there. It's so hard to quiet our minds and just relax, but so needed in this busy world!

    Really good post, Jessica!

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    1. Yes! It is easy to rush that time with Him - but as you said it's so needed in today's world..

      Thanks for reading and commenting, Hannah. Blessings! :)

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  4. Ahhh this is beautiful! <3 I love this so much. Our world is so fast, and it's so important to slow down. This summer was the busiest summer of my life, but I tried to make time every day to step outside and walk around the house and look at our field and the trees. I'd usually go out around sunset, my favorite time of day. Just admiring God's creation for a moment helps put our existence into perspective. We are such small humans, and this world - this universe - is so big. When we remember the bigness of it all, it helps us remember the even bigger-ness of the God we serve, and how our problems really aren't as massive as they might seem sometimes.

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    1. Oh, I'm glad you enjoyed it - praise God! :) Thanks for your comment - I really appreciate your thoughts about getting outside into God's creation, and slowing down that way. It's so true - when we contemplate Him and His greatness, it does change our perspective on ourselves and our fears. And yes, sunset is a wonderful time of day, isn't it?! :)

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  5. This is so true! I LOVE your thoughts on the pace of life. Thank you so much for sharing, it was what I needed today.

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    1. Praise God! It amazes me every time God uses this blog to speak to people. Thanks for your comment, Bonnie! xx

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  6. I love everything thing you said about this. :) We just got back from camp, and the theme this year was the Olympics, and we were studying Hebrews 12:1, which is about running in a race. So when you asked, "have you heard someone inquire, 'How’s your run with God?'," I actually thought, that doesn't seem that weird. At camp we talked all about how we do run in a race, and it's hard, but we run so as to get the prize! It's an interesting comparison to walking with God. I think they're interconnected, and both important to understand. It may seem like "Be still" and "run the race" are in conflict, but they are not. We know that God's word has no errors or conflicts in it. (Conflicts isn't the word I want to use, but I can't remember what it is! Obviously there are instances of conflict in the Bible. You know what I mean.) AND OOH OOH I JUST THOUGHT OF SOMETHING! We run the race and keep our eyes on Jesus, just as we are commanded to be still, and know that He is God! Like, in both instances, our eyes are on Jesus! Exciting moment. :D Running the race is like, a mindset that we keep as we look forward to our eternal home, and walking with God, is like the mindset we keep as we live our lives here on earth. And the two are in harmony. You know what I mean? It's kind of hard to wrap my mind around. :) Anywho, in answer to your other question, I prefer country to city driving.

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    1. Yes! Thanks for sharing your thoughts - I enjoyed reading them. :) Hmm, I forgot that the Bible does talk about a run with God, although it doesn't quite say it like that. :) I like how you harmonised the two too - it's all about keeping our focus on God as we press on. It's amazing how everything in the Bible fits together. :)

      Thanks again for your comment! And yes - someone else who likes country driving!

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  7. This is a nice post :)
    I liked the thought about walking, not running, on our spiritual journey. It's interesting and true...
    Thanks :)

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    1. Thank you. :) I thought that was interesting too - I hadn't thought of it that way before..

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  8. I love this post, Jessica! I've been feeling like this a little bit recently. It's so easy to get caught up in the fast-paced life of internet...while ignoring the important things like family. We need to organize our priorities! Thanks for the encouragement. =)

    //Hosanna Emily

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    1. Praise God, and thanks for your comment, Hosanna. :) Yes, I find it easy to get distracted by the internet too - I needed the reminder to prioritize! Thank you. :)

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  9. I love every thing about this post!
    You are such a talented writer!<3

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    1. Oh, thank-you! Praise God. :) Thanks for reading, and leaving such an encouraging comment, Clara!

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  10. As a small-town country girl, I can definitely agree to this. So much of the world is fast-paced...we want everything FASTER. And that's not a bad thing, but I think a lot of people need to realize that at the end of life, if you just whizzed through it not really noticing the little things and truly LIVING that they're gonna be sad. God wants us to spend TIME with Him, not just fly through five verses and call it quits.

    And I loved what you said about a WALK with God...not a run with God. Never thought about it before :) This post was really encouraging and God has definitely blessed you with the gift of writing <3

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    1. Yes! That's it - we rush life instead of living it. I like your point about having regrets too.. and do we ever have regrets about spending extra time with God?!

      Thanks so much for your comment. I praise God this post was encouraging to you. xx

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  11. I know exactly what you mean about how different our lives can be in terms of pace. I go camping throughout the year, and I adore the feeling of letting things go, becoming detached from everything and enjoying a much slower pace of life. There's something lovely about the way a dark sky and a cracking campfire induce conversation. I think we are all guilty of getting caught up in school/work, and battling with themselves and other people that we forget what we're really here for.
    Loved reading this, provided lots of opportunities for thought!

    Lauren ♥ | Sincerely, Lauren Emily

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    1. Thanks, Lauren! :)

      Camping's definitely a great way to slow down. Yes, campfire induced conversations are something I enjoy too - there really is something about being so close to nature. Thanks again for reading and commenting - I appreciate it. :)

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  12. I just came to your blog via a comment you left on mine, and I'm so glad I did! I love it! I agree with the though a little ways up in the comments section- it's a journey with God, ever changing on our end towards the fixed mark of heaven. Sometimes you walk, sometimes you run, sometimes you drag yourself along, sometimes He just carries you. Like, you know, Lord of the Rings. But even better. Also, that campout looks SO FUN. Like, I was getting a little adventurous tingle imagining sleeping out in the back of a truck and then waking up in the misty morning... I want to go camping now! Anyways, thanks for your comment, I'm excited to keep reading your blog!

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    1. Thanks so much for your encouraging words! I'm glad you like it here. :)

      That's exactly what it's like! And it's amazing how He stays beside us whatever pace we're going. Yes, the campout was fun, and refreshing.. I'd definitely recommend it if you get an opportunity. :) And thanks again for your comment, Nina!

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  13. This is so beautiful! You have a gift for words. I much prefer country roads and small towns to busy streets and cities. Your camping trip sounds absolutely delightful (despite the cold)--we're getting a taste of fall this week, with some chilly temperatures last night and a crisp feel to the air this morning. As much as I like fall, I would like to hold on to summer while it's still August! :)

    Serena
    poetree {blog} | editing services

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    1. Oh, praise God, and thank you!

      I'm glad someone else has the same thoughts on country roads and small towns! It was delightful time camping, and honestly once we had the campfire going, we were toasty warm. But yes, the season seems to be changing already here too! I hope summer stays around a little longer for you, and thanks for commenting. :)

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  14. Beautiful post. I like where I live because I can sit outside on my front porch and it feels country; not so fast-paced, yet I'm not too far away from things. I couldn't live in a city. I've been to NYC before and it's just too much. I like an even balance.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks - praise God. :) It sounds like you live in an ideal location, Lauren! Yes, I don't think I could live in a city either- there's too much going on all the time.. Thanks for reading and blessing me with a comment! :)

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  15. This was literally the most powerful thing I've read all week. WOW.

    I've never thought about fast like this before. What you said about running vs. walking....how it's not about the speed or the rush, and how that can actually rob us of our vision, and noticing, and ENJOYING all the wonder and beauty around us...wow. Jessica, this was so beautiful and articulate and thought provoking. I'll be mulling this over and humming it in my heart.

    Also, what an amazing blessing to have siblings to share stuff like this with! As I read the beautiful descriptions of your camping trip with your brothers, and reading psalms around the fire, I was reminded of my sister's (Abbiee) and I's relationship and how we dig into the word together. It's such an amazing gift to share the desire for Jesus as siblings.

    I needed this today <3

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    1. Seriously?! Wow. Praise God.

      Yes, it is a huge blessing to have siblings to share life with - especially when it comes to God and His word, as you said.

      Anyway, thanks for your super encouraging comment - I'm glad this could be a blessing to you. :)

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  16. This is so beautiful and unique, I really enjoyed reading it :) I agree completely - you have such amazing thoughts :) <3

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    1. Oh, praise God, Arushee! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for commenting! :)

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  17. I love country driving -- I completely agree with you there. But I do like living near a city (or more toward the suburbs in my case). I would struggle not being around so many people and I fear that it would be a little lonely. :P

    But I do love the sense of awe in the country. It's so much easier to zone in on God.

    // katie grace
    a writer's faith

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    1. I like how you described the country as having a sense of awe - it's so true. But yes, there are benefits to living to closer to the suburbs and people. :)

      Thanks for reading, and commenting! xx

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  18. Living an hour away from our nation's capital rarely offers us a moment of absolute silence and serenity. It's a struggle to make time to simply sit, pray, and read God's Word. But it's something I'm striving to do more of. Thanks for this post!

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    1. Thank you for reading and commenting! Yes, I can imagine that would make it harder.. but keep pressing on, Gloria! He'll make every minute worth it. xx

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  19. We were made to walk.

    I love that.

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    1. Oh, thank you! I'm glad you could relate. :)

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