Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. James 1:19

If you are short like me, you learned a long time ago that you had to walk fast to keep up with everyone. It could take me up to two or three steps just to keep up with another person’s one step forward.

For me, after walking fast for all my life, it became a habit. As I got older, people would ask me, Why are you walking so fast?! Slow down! Yes, they were close to my height but obviously didn’t grow up with tall family members or friends!

Sometimes we need to be swift. James says, “Be quick to listen.” Timothy says, “flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace...” 2 Timothy 2:22. Another word for flee is to run away… skedaddle!

I am also thinking we should be swift to help someone in need…

• Pray for a friend, neighbor, coworker, relative, or stranger.
• Provide food to someone who is financially struggling.
• Be a babysitter to a single parent who needs a break.
• Provide your services to someone who is a caretaker for a terminally ill family member.
• Help an elderly neighbor, who can’t drive, by taking them to run errands, go grocery shopping, or to doctor appointments.
• Sit with someone who has lost a spouse, family member, or friend… just sit and listen.

Be swift to smile, open doors, allow someone in front of you in a store line or car lane. Be swift to give a word of encouragement.

But predominantly, the Lord wants you to slow down and wait:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, and in His word do I hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than the watchmen for the morning. Psalm 130:5-6

Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31

Cease striving (be still) and know that I am God… Psalm 46:10

Tomorrow morning when you wake up and look at your never-ending “to-do” list, turn it over… close your eyes… and pray to the Lord who loves you dearly. Run from things that can harm you, discourage you, waste your time, or steal your peace. Start your day… slowly… in communion with the Lord and His precious word. You will have more peace and strength to accomplish things on your list, and the unexpected things that try to steal your time and your joy.