Don’t copy the behavior of this world!
I don’t know about you, but everything in this world seems so ridiculously busy these days. It’s like system sensory overload to where our minds can’t seem to switch off from our cell phones or computers!
Do you realize 75% of the world’s population has or will suffer with progressive neck issues due to “tech” or “text neck”? Did you know that when our necks are tilted slightly towards our chest (15 degrees) our heads will weigh around 27lb? And when we look down to our laps, that weight increases to 60lb (that’s about the weight of four bowling balls!). In comparison, if we’re looking straight ahead, the average weight of a human head is around 12 pounds. Are you starting to get the picture?!
We Need to Choose to Slow Down
With all the new high-tech, modern technology in our fast-paced cultures, we can’t seem to slow down! Being continually “online and switched-on” morning, noon and night produces worn out, uptight and stressed-out people.
Did you know that next year we will have even less time!? Why you ask? Because statistically for every hour that we think technology will save us, it will actually consume two more hours! Now that’s something to think about…
Christian author and writer for Chicago’s Daily Herald, Keri Wyatt Kent writes: “Every time you say ‘yes’ to something, you’re saying ‘no’ to other options.”
Being “Busy” Isn’t Always a Good Thing
Busy activity disguised in a “Christian veneer,” unfortunately is still busy activity!
“Don’t copy the behavior…of this world.”
Our crazy world is hurried, frantic and always wanting more – and more quickly; it’s constantly demanding more. We have to take time to actually listen and care for the people around us. This requires us to live in the present moment.
The truest mark of a Christian is love, and as we know we can never rush love. It takes time and effort. Loving someone has to be intentional.
Steps to Help You Slow Down
To slow down you need to:
1) Simplify Your Life
Don’t fuss about what’s on the table or whether [your] clothes are in fashion (Matthew 6:25 MSG). We must put God first and foremost, and then, everything else will follow.
When Marlene Eissens decided to switch careers, she set out for university with only the stuff she could fit in her car. Today she’s in ministry. She has a house, but resists filling it with unnecessary stuff. In addition, anything she hasn’t used for six months goes to charity.
She says, “I feel real freedom; because with less stuff, I’m free to focus more on God.”
2) Keep the Sabbath
Todd Gitlin says, “We’re a nerve-wracked society. We have difficulty sitting back and thinking of the purpose of what we do.”
Set aside at least one day a week to rest and just spend time with your loved ones. Use the day to also fellowship with your church family.
3) Be Satisfied
“Be satisfied with… [what you have]” (Hebrews 13:5 AMPC). You’ll probably still be tempted to rush around trying to get more stuff and wish for more or nicer things, but try not to make this your main focus. Make sure that you grow closer to God by making more space in your life for Him.
Remember Why You Are Here
I like how Mark Twain made this statement:
“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”
The reason why we were born was to know God and who He is, to know how much we are loved, and to fulfill what He has called us to do.
So slow down, listen to God, spend time with your family and be satisfied with knowing who you are—God’s great masterpiece made in His image! I would like to finish on this note; when God created nature, He did not hurry, and everything was accomplished beautifully. Take a leaf out of His Book!