Where I’m At

Learning to Slow Down

Dear Fellow,

Upon waking up today, I thought of getting a despatch delivered to you. This thought bugged me since Wednesday. It interrupted my attention while pursuing other ideas or works in my head during the week. I have been thinking quite a lot about what to send to you. It grows intense as I consider that I didn’t send a despatch last week Saturday, again.

I started writing this despatch immediately after my quiet time (time for Bible study and prayer). Had I done the opposite, you probably would’ve met a terrible and disorderly me in this despatch. I had to be calm and slow before I put these thoughts together. Thank God this was written after quiet time of prayer and Bible study.

As I write, I review the past three weeks in my mind. I have just been going through the motions, trying hard to cancel tasks on my to-do list, barely savouring each moment and engagement as time passes. But the hurry and panic in pursuing an all-boxes-checked to-do list has gotten me nowhere desirable. Goals accomplished without joy and happiness but weariness and exhaustion are so undesirable, I know this from experience in the past few weeks.

A song by Forrest Frank captures what I desire for this weekend and beyond—slow down (2022). Here’s the first verse and chorus, which captures my thoughts and feelings at the moment:

I feel metallic, modern, and clean,

But I wasn’t made to be like Listerine.

I want the warmth of the sun on my back,

And no one but God telling me how to act.

Chorus:

I just wanna slow down my heart,

Walk at the pace of the breeze.

I just wanna slow down my mind,

To rest like a bird in the trees.

“And no one but God telling me how to act.” Not by my to-do list, or whatever. Not to be slaved by my pursuits. I just want to slow down, “To rest like a bird in the trees.” And Matthew 6 comes to mind here, from verses 19 to 34 precisely, where Jesus teaches about possessions. Consider verses 25 to 27, according to the New Living Translation of the Bible:

“This is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”

Neither can my panic and frenzy help me effectively accomplish my daily tasks. Joyless striving not only breaks the spirit and strains zeal; it leaves me worn out and terrible. Matthew 6:19–34 shows me how not to be terrible at facing each day. In verses 28 and 29, Jesus says to consider the lilies of the field, and how they don’t work, yet King Solomon (one Old Testament king of Israel)  “in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are”. So what? “And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow,” Jesus continues in verse 30, “he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?”

Image source: Bryan Hanson on Unsplash

Fundamentally, we work to meet our basic needs (food, clothing, and shelter). Since the breach of the agreement between man and God by the former in Eden, work seized being joyful (Genesis 3:17–19). Then Jesus, restorer of the broken relationship between God and the rest of humanity (2 Corinthians 5:19), shows how to go about life, depending on the faithfulness of the One who feeds the birds and dresses the lilies. On His knowledge of my needs, to depend (Matthew 6:32). To live a day at a time (Matthew 6:33).

Certainly, work continues. But it can be done without panic and frenzy. And it requires that I be faithful to timelines, and master my distractions. Not to work as though my sustenance solely depends on my effort. I have instances where this proves true: besides and beyond income, God provides. Work, I will do. Show up each day, as the Lord gifts me a new day and good health. And I yearn to live by Matthew 6:19–34.

I just needed this reminder—and I hope it also helps you process your current season in this crazy world. This is where I’m at, good Fellow.

Enjoy the weekend!

Your LetterMan,

Tongjal, W. N.