STEP OUT OF THE RUSH

Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by the day will not stumble, for he sees by this world’s light. It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light – John 11:9-10 (NIV)

Some lives seem to be permanently set on RUSH MODE. Even when the voice of exhaustion gently nudges and demands that they slow down, they often are in bondage to busy-ness and have become slaves to their overwhelmed schedules. They make inflexible decisions; then their decisions make or mar us. They are caught in the web of endless demands. They silently wish that life wasn’t so busy, but dejectedly admit that they cannot help but to rush hurriedly through it.

RHYTHM in the light, not RUSH through the darkness, is what life demands. Friend, it is good to pause from the rushing gusts of life and allow busy to take a break from chasing or driving you. Quit the rat-race for a while. Sometimes it takes stepping out of the rush to see things in proper perspective, and truly LIVE, rather than merely EXIST. There is a place to “un-rush” your pace and discover your real self and how to disconnect from the RUSH mode and connect to divine RHYTHM.

Let us learn from our Lord and Master: JESUS NEVER RUSHED! He intentionally remained unrushed. His life was set to the rhythms of Connection and Compassion. You also can make this your longing, passion and practice. Like Jesus, you can programme your pace for connection and compassion.

The stories of the Gospels reveal that as Jesus walked the streets and sailed the waters of Palestine, He was not immune from the push of pressure and the pull of stress. People pulled at Him everywhere He went. His disciples craved direction and leadership. Crowds thirsted for His message and longed for miracles. The afflicted demanded deliverance. The sick pleaded for healing. Friends and family wanted intimate time with Him. The religious rulers wanted answers and accreditation from Him. An entire world awaited salvation within such limited time, yet the Master didn’t rush His sermons or hurry through His meetings. This was not because He was oblivious to the value of time. No one valued time more than He who declared: “I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work” (John 9:4).

Yet, Jesus didn’t rush. In fact, He was the most calm for those with whom He was the closest! Lazarus’ death was not strong enough to pull Jesus from His divine pace. He gave individuals undivided, concentrated attention and did not rush His conversations with them – conversations which now serve eternal purposes in our lives through the Scriptures. He talked with the Samaritan woman at the well. He reached out His hand to touch and heal the leper. He felt the touch of faith by the woman with the issue of blood and responded by releasing virtue to stop the wearying flow. Connection was the crucial to every interaction. Compassion was central to every encounter. Jesus valued fellowship and friendship. We are enjoined to do likewise: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV)

Jesus didn’t rush, why should you? I decide to step out of the rush and step into the rhythm of faith, as I walk in the Light of Life.