Well, by the time you read this Christmas will be over. All the plans and presents and parties are over. Now it’s time for putting up the decorations, paying the bills, and picking a new years resolution. Oh, you know you’re gonna try something. It just probably won’t work … why? We aren’t patient. We don’t live in our parent’s world anymore. We love to microwave our food, Amazon Prime our purchases, Google our questions, real-time our news, Facebook our friends, etc. No time to have patience. We work at the speed of light.

That is part of our issue when it comes to understanding why God works so slow. The faster we live, the longer it “seems” God takes to do things. It’s really not God — it’s us! Scripture tells us that 1,000 years is like one day with God — even though one day can feel like a thousand years, can’t it?

For us to live according to God’s plans, purpose our days accordingly, and be truly present in the lives of others, we have to

s l o w d o w n.

God’s speed is like a seed. Planted in the ground it has to sprout and take root before it can bear fruit. Perhaps instead of resolving to eat less, spend less, save more, or workout more — we should just try and slow down. Try and be quiet more, still more, lay around more, clear our calendars more, take time for ourselves more. All that might just help us to spend time in God’s presence more. Our New Year’s resolutions often have us hitting the ground running, keeping track of something, withholding another; all the while exhausting us emotionally, mentally and physically.

Why not rest in God, and be filled to live faithfully; whatever that looks like for you.

Take a few moments and begin to design your down time. May we all experience a less hectic, healthy and very Happy New Year!

Blessings, Tim

Tim Beck is pastor of Kenbridge United Methodist Church. His email address is revtimbeck@ gmail.com.