What is the big hurry? Why do we always rush? Why do we always fall into the trap of feeling we need more. I have been so slow to learn that the best things are found in stillness. As a driven person obsessed with productivity I always want to get a lot done. I want to accomplish 20 things carelessly instead of 3 things thoroughly. I have little patience for gardening for example. Or oil painting.
This rush strains everything. It hurts relationships for sure. It is the opposite of being fully present and listening well. It strikes against gratitude and robs us of our ability to appreciate the moment. It kills creativity. And it produces a very shallow experience of God. Stillness is critical in developing a deep life of prayer. It is critical in being able to contemplate Scripture.
Like many Christians, many days I have “done my duty” and read a chapter of Scripture. No sooner do I read it than I forget what I read. If I’m honest I often don’t even understand much of what I read or at least am not deeply considering the implications. Sometimes I am bouncing all around the Word and reading many chapters and it gives a false sense of accomplishment. It satisfies the religious duty part of us when we read 6-7 different chapters. We feel like it must count for something (ha).
But what I am finding is that the way of the Lord is to go deep rather than wide. I’ve been reading 1Peter over and over and over in the last couple weeks and the longer I stay there the more riches I find. The treasures are not found on the surface but are discovered when we keep digging in one area. Help me God to be still and to probe the depth behind every book, every chapter, every verse. Empower me to slow down. I believe that over the decades it would be much more profitable to stay in one book of the Bible for a week, a month or even longer. - Scott A