We live in a hurry-up and go society. The faster the better. The hare has run over the turtle. In today’s world there is no room for going at a slow pace. In every situation, you are expected to move with the crowd, and we expect that of others. We don’t like to be burdened with the task of slowing down to match the pace of the ones in the back of the pack.
What happens when you are the one in the back? We aren’t always at the back, but what happens when you find yourself there? Do you want someone to show you kindness and patience? Do you want someone to lead you slowly? I know that when I am feeling as if I am falling behind, I desperately need someone to lead me slowly.
There is a marvelous passage in Genesis 13 that describes this scenario perfectly. This chapter beautifully depicts the moment that Jacob and Esau meet each other for the first time in over 20 years. Their relationship had been a troubled one and at this moment in their lives they were truly wanting to make amends. Jacob met Esau with many gifts and Jacob bowed seven times before Esau ran and embraced his brother Jacob. Jacob introduced Esau to his family, and they began to discuss traveling together to Seir. Esau wanted them to travel together, but Jacob insisted Esau go ahead, and they would follow behind.
What would make Jacob not want to travel at the speed of his brother? You see, Jacob understood his family and those around him. He knew their ability and was willing and able to go on their pace. Jacob speaks one of the most beautiful verses in the Bible in verse 14, “So let my lord go on ahead of his servant, while I move along slowly at the pace of the flocks and herds before me and the pace of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.” How beautiful, “to move at the pace of children.” Sometimes, we forget in our hustle and bustle that those around us may be in a place in their lives that requires them to move at the pace of children. We tend to forget that sometimes we ourselves need to move at the pace of a child.
I would love to snap my fingers and wake up the perfect weight. Poof! –perfect house. Poof! –perfect family. Poof! –perfect car. But we are not to rush our journey or the journey of others. You are exactly where you are meant to be and the Lord is leading you slowly, at the pace of children. We are after all, His children. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:1-2
So, learn to lead slowly. Learn to be led slowly. Learn to move at the pace of children. You will learn to enjoy the world around you more and truly be able to enjoy the journey you are on.
This week’s recipe is a lovely dessert that will satisfy your sweet tooth without making you feel guilty for indulging in a dessert. It is a lovely vanilla mousse with roasted strawberries. How fancy does that sound?!? And the best part about this dessert, it is super easy, but looks super fancy. Your family will be sure to love it!
April 19, 2024
