It has been said, “Slow and steady wins the race.” However, I believe a more valuable phrase would be:
Let God set the pace, and He will give you the grace.
I don’t know how many times I have gotten frustrated with myself for not meeting self-imposed deadlines. I feel that there is so much to accomplish. Then God reminds me that there is more to life than conquering a to-do list. He has called me to enjoy, to grow, to become, and to lead, and that also takes time and care that rushing about doesn’t afford. The book of Proverbs speaks of hard work, working with excellence, but it also encourages us to work with diligence and not haste (Proverbs 21:5).
In my rush to accomplish, I often accumulate accidents, errors, and a bad attitude that requires me to go back and correct and apologize. So each day, I am met with choices: To push and strive, setting myself up for frustration, loss of joy, and a handful to a mountain load of whoopsies, Or allow God to set the pace for my day and embrace the grace I have been given.
We are encouraged to slow down and embrace maybe even find joy in the process. We can be driven by the end goal, the accomplishment, and not value all achieved in the in-between. In the in-between, there is growth, development, transformation, and established foundations or anchors. For a plant to be healthy and built for longevity, it must first take time to grow strong and deep roots before producing fruit. The process takes time and happens where no one sees the process achieving. Nevertheless, it will determine if any enjoyment or longevity will come from its fruitfulness. Underground with diligence and faith, where most things are not seen, is where the essential parts are built and established, where health and longevity derive.
I encourage you, as I encourage myself, to not rush through the process. With diligence and faith, let us tame our hearts to follow God’s pace and position ourselves to receive His grace. Grace not only for the to-do list but grace for the in-between. So that when we do get to the place where others begin to see what we have achieved, they also see and experience the beauty of what God’s grace has established.
Lord, give us a heart that desires to follow Your pace and a determination to enjoy and embrace the in-between. Thank You for Your grace and mercy that keeps us, corrects, and transforms us. Without Your acts of love, we would be running toward fruitless and joyless living instead of walking in the abundant life for which Christ died, in Jesus Name Amen
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