I’ve been thinking about what it means to live a slower life in a world of “hurry,” a life that takes time (makes time!) to think, to reflect, to savor rather than one that is always filled with the next task, the next item on the “to do” list, and the next email or notification. From the articles below, I think you’ll see that I’m not the only one thinking of how to move through life meaningfully, which is to say: faithfully. Perhaps you are on the same journey, too? If so, spend some time with these articles and consider what wisdom they’d offer if applied to your own life.
(Editor’s note: I’ll be out of the office for the next two weeks, but Worth Your Time will resume October 10)
- I’ve noticed that there are two keys to building a consistent habit of praying honestly, well, and faithfully. The first is simply to pray. I can’t remember who first taught me this, but I’ve realized that it is far easier to spend time talking about prayer than it is to actually pray. Much like any habit or any skill that you wish to grow in, talking about it is one thing, but actually practicing it is another. The second key I’ve come across is to read prayers. Our first source should be the Scriptures – look to almost any letter of Paul and you’ll find a prayer at the beginning or end. Many Bibles have topical indexes at the back that will point you to the numerous other prayers in the Scriptures, too. In addition, I’ve also been helped simply to hear (or read) how others pray. To see how they focus on the truths of the Scriptures. This helps me to gain a wider “prayer vocabulary” that serves to deepen and feed my own praying. Tim Challies’ brief article here is the sort of example I appreciate.
- The feeling of being constantly overwhelmed has become sadly common for many Christians over the past few years. One contributor is our world of hurry. Another is the relentless barrage of bad news from every form of media. Still another is the political strife that seems to ramp up higher and higher with each election. And these don’t even begin to touch the questions of our own personal lives! Darryl Dash offers help by pointing to King David – there is much wisdom to be gained here.
- Brett Fredenberg writes a powerful article about weakness that nevertheless refuses to become bitter, angry, or to doubt the Lord’s goodness. His story is not so different than some of our own, with life going from bad to worse. Yet, unlike how we are told to respond by our skeptical and self-centered world (“You should be upset!” “How can God do this to you?!”), his response is instead a model of grace because he has – and is – being transformed by the Lord. Think long over his insights, this is the the kind of wisdom you and I will need many times throughout our lives.
