Mark Yaconelli is reminded by his son, and then reminds us, of the value of ssslllooowwwiiinnnggg dddooowwwnnn.
Are you ready for slow club?
- What would you need to change in your life in order to actually slow down like this?
- What would change on its own in your life when you did slow down?
- What would you loose? What would you gain?
I remember being on a a spiritual retreat several years ago at the Malvern Retreat House west of Philadelphia. They have several Stations of the Cross trails through the woods around the edge of the property, and I was taking time to walk a trail in the morning, at noon and in the evening. In my third session I realized I was speedwalking. Speedwalking my prayer walk through the Stations. Really?!? #facepalm. In that moment I began a new discipline that I practice periodically. I walk as slow as I can without falling over or distracting myself by the sheer difficulty of it. Take. My. Time. Take. My. Time. Take. My Time.
I can pray while I do other things – can and do. But multitasking prayer is not a sufficient diet for the soul. Like the body, and our relationships, the soul needs our undivided attention regularly. Actually, all six facets of our self need to be attended regularly and consistently, each in their own and various ways. When I try to do too many things at once, I end up missing the essence of each experience, like speedwalking through the Stations of the Cross.
I think I’m going to join the Slow Club. How about you join me?
Institute for Vital Ministry 