The Speed of Love

The Speed of Love

by Marilyn Mackenzie

A few weeks ago in our pastor's sermon he talked of people who complain that they don't feel close to God any more or who don't feel that they are hearing from God anymore.

Of course, the pastor reminded everyone of the importance of reading God's word daily and of taking time to pray.  He spoke of taking time to listen too, to be quiet and intentionally trying to feel God's presence.

And as he spoke, our pastor said that we (Americans) have filled our lives with busy-ness.  We rush to work, then rush through dinner, then rush to take kids to sports practice or games.  We rush to the store, then rush home again.  The pastor spoke of us having 150 mile per hour lives.

Then our pastor explained that perhaps the reason why some are not feeling God's presence is because God is going at the speed of Love - about 3 to 5 miles per hour.  And with our lives set in motion to go at 150 mph, it's no wonder that we're missing out on our God moments.

I thought about that, about the speed of Love being much slower than the pace that we normally go in life. 

Children seem to understand that the speed of Love is at a slower pace.  Have you ever seen a child coloring a picture for her Mom?  She painstakingly colors the page, with her head cocked and her tongue sticking out.  She doesn't just scribble across the page, usually, when she's creating a masterpiece to give to her Mom.  She knows that love requires a slower pace.

And what about the boy who gathers flowers (weeds, really) for his Mother?  He doesn't rush across the yard, just picking up any old flower or weed.  No way.  He stops at each bunch of weeds to examine them.  He selects the weeds carefully, then bundles them up to give to his Mom.  Children just seem to know that Love requires more time and effort.

I think our pastor made a good point.  And I think that point can be proven by watching the kids in our lives.  Experiencing God's presence, the one who is Love, means that we have so slow down to his pace.

I cannot imagine that in the Garden of Eden, when the first people were allowed to walk with Him, that they ran down the path.  I imagine them taking a leisurely stroll. 

Isn't it time for you slow down to God's pace?  To let His Love envelope you as you walk leisurely through life together, at least some of the time?

Psalms 37:7

Be still before the LORD and wait  

patiently for him.

Psalms 46:10

"Be still, and know that I am God."