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Life
in the Fast Lane
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We have pushed the “fast
forward” button in life. We live in a world that is running as fast as
it can—and we’re not satisfied with that. There are only two speeds in
life today: fast, and flat out. Why do we run red lights? Why do we speed
down the highways? I have said for some time that red lights in Pasadena
are not laws, they are merely suggestions. They actually get in people’s
way. It’s the same with speed limits. You can get run over driving the
speed limit. Ever notice how irritable people are who stand in line at the
bank, the grocery store, or the dry cleaners? They’re all in a hurry.
We have fast food, instant oats, waffles and biscuits that are already cooked and microwave popcorn (a travesty if there ever was one!). Microwave ovens and other modern utensils are heralded as time-savers. Our clothes are wash and wear, our cars are measured more by how fast they can get us there than by the comfort they afford. We hurry, we rush, we run. We’re busy, busy, busy. Do you know anybody who is not in a hurry? It’s fine to be active, fine to be involved, fine to work hard and play enthusiastically—but: When you’re too busy to help with important things, you’re too busy. Jesus said that His disciples should seek the kingdom first (Matt. 6:34). What does that mean? It means that the list of priorities is headed by seeking His rule in your life, that’s what it means. It means that no matter how fast you’re going, you better slow down enough to make sure you’re going in the right direction. It means that you should make sure your heart is right before you go running around life (Prov. 3:27). If your physical activities are running into your spiritual ones, it’s time to stop—yes, stop—long enough to re-examine where it is that you’re going. When you’re so busy that thoughts about God are crowded out of your life, you’re too busy. Meditation is a vital part of your connection to God and eternity. Meditation takes time. Time to compare your life with the one He recommends, time to distinguish between the spiritual and the carnal, time to introspect and determine your real motives for what you do. David’s blessed man is one whose “delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law doth he meditate both day and night (Psalm 1:2). Paul admonishes that we take time to think on praiseworthy things—things that are honorable, just, pure, lovely, of good report—and that takes considerable time (Phil. 4:8). Time management is necessary to our vital connection to God. We best make sure to take the time it takes to give Him what is rightfully His. When you’re too busy to listen to those who love you, you’re too busy. Sometimes we get so caught up in the pace of the life we live we don’t have time to listen—even to those who love us most. How long since you had a real conversation with your wife or husband—one where you unhurriedly talked about how things are between the two of you and where you’re both headed in your life, and how it is that you’re going to get done what is really important in your life? How long has it been since you sat on the deck or porch and just had a lively conversation with one of your kids—a conversation that just talked about nothing in particular, but just went where the moment took it? How long? This stuff takes time, but it’s so important that we give some time to the simple, that we regard the little things, that we consider the small matters, because when you add them all together, they’re what makes life worth living. When you’re too busy to attend the worship services, you’re too busy. I don’t need to say any more than that. Copyright (C) 2003 Southside Church of Christ |