RUTHLESSLY ELIMINATE HURRY by Wendell Vinson, Pastor Reclaim peace and joy! My favorite season of the year is the fall. I’m always ready for cooler weather after a long, hot summer and really love it when the color of the landscape begins to change. In our neighborhood, there are some magnificent trees that make for inspiring morning or evening walks. The thing I love most about fall, though, is how our pace and focus seems to adjust from running so very fast to fit all the activity of summer in to a more reflective pace where we turn our hearts more intently toward thankfulness to the Lord of the harvest. You see, hurry is a robber. It robs you of peace and it robs you of perspective. But when you slow down, have deeper conversations with those you love and reflect and meditate more on the goodness of the Lord in your life, it renews your soul. It’s funny how we sometimes feel like we’re getting more done when we’re hurried, but in reality we’re not. We’ve become masters at multi-tasking, but I’m convinced it’s often at the expense of true progress. I see all kinds of people running like crazy, but actually accomplishing little. The thing about slowing down the pace and being more intentional about prayer, reflection and thankfulness is you hear more clearly God’s voice. Hearing God’s voice and getting into His pace puts us in a place to experience the supernatural. God is able to cause more to happen supernaturally in a moment than we are able to in weeks, months or even years of striving on our own.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m a firm believer in hard work. I dislike very much when there is a lack of progress in my life or those I lead. But I’m advocating here for that which brings true supernatural progress. The fall is going to be as spectacular in the spiritual realm as the beauty we will enjoy with the change of seasons. God is doing some amazing things in and through His people as we reclaim neighborhoods and nations for His glory. But my admonition to you, as your pastor, is that you intentionally turn your heart and mind toward entering into the supernatural timing of God by getting rid of the hurry, slowing your pace in prayer and reflection and turning your attention toward all that you have to be thankful for. It will bring fresh joy and meaning into your life. I promise! And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whetever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:15-17 This fall we are excited to see what God is going to do through His church as we follow His lead in reclaiming neighborhoods and nations for His glory!
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