“Slow down.”

These are the words I heard from my Heavenly Father this morning. As I got ready for the day. As I hit every stoplight on the way to work. As I sat impatiently in the drive thru line waiting for my coffee treat. And as I navigated the semitruck that decided to navigate a sharp right turn by suddenly swinging left  directly in front of me, effectively cutting me off.

Slow down.

But, Lord, I have so much to do. But Lord, I need to be early this morning and I’m running late instead. But Lord, I need…. Yep, I need to slow down!

I’m sure that you have also experienced the frustration that comes from having a million things to do only to have a million and one things pop up in front of you. Like little prairie dogs of distraction popping out of their holes to trip us up! Sometimes they are spiritual diversions meant to keep us from our assignments, and sometimes they are our loving Father’s way of getting our attention. But, interestingly enough, both require us to slow down. We need to take the time necessary to pray and evaluate what we are truly facing so we can effectively respond.

In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps.
Proverbs 16:9

As His children, we also reap the benefit of His redemption of time. Our God holds all things in His hands, including time. In other words, we when stop to pray, we don’t lose any time at all – we gain it back! As we slow down enough to ask the Holy Spirit what He is up to and how we can partner with Him – rather than the other way around – our effectiveness increases. I don’t know about you, but this is a game changer for me as an Executive Assistant! This is yet another reason to be continually prayerful as I walk through the day navigating tasks, conversations, and calendars. 

So, if you have found yourself hitting every red light and dodging large trucks lately, let me encourage you to do the very opposite of what seems logical, and s l o w d o w n. Take a moment to pause, breathe, and simply ask the Lord what He is up to. I think you will find, as I did, that He is quick to respond to you. Our Father is generous with His time and lavish with His love. Our God is quick to orchestrate time and events for His glory and our good. And He is quick to whisper the reminder that…

You are adored.