IN A HURRY? LEARN FROM JESUS

BIBLE PASSAGE:
“Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard
that Jesus was going by, they shouted, ‘Lord, Son of David, have
mercy on us!’ The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet,
but they shouted all the louder, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on
us!’ Jesus stopped and called them. ‘What do you want me to do for
you?’ he asked.”
(Matthew 20:30-32)

MEDITATION:
What are some things you just have to get done today? Do you find
that you have a lot of things you need to cram into the day? Do you
feel the only way you can get them done is to ‘rev up your engine’
and go as fast as you can? Do you think about the things you could
be missing out on as you scurry to complete your tasks? Have you
ever thought about the impact you can have on others around you
when you ‘rev up’?

How do you feel whenever you are around people who seem to be on a
mission and they have no time for others? Contrast that with how you
feel when you are around someone who is laid-back. Which one do you
prefer to be around?

The laid-back person isn’t irresponsible, they just choose to complete
their tasks at a steady pace rather than rushing around in what appears
to be a frantic state. There are advantages to getting things done in a
relaxed, steady manner. For one thing, you don’t usually overlook things
that can cause you to backtrack in your efforts. The steady person is often
much more organized and methodical about getting things done.

Have you ever observed someone who rushes to get things done? They might
be in constant motion, but they are often working harder instead of smarter.
Apparently, they feel that the faster they move, the faster they will get things
done, but that’s not necessarily the case. There are times to move fast (like in
an emergency), but if nothing is life threatening, then moving at a slower pace
is probably more advantageous.

Now, how do you think the hurried person affects those around them? A parent
who is not in a hurry will take the time to explain to the kids where and why they
are going somewhere. He or she looks them in the eyes and lets them know that
they have his or her full attention.

A parent who is in a hurry will either tell the kids to get in the car and they’ll
find out where they are going, or they will tell them a little about where they
are going as he or she is busy doing something else.

A person who is not in a hurry will take the time to speak to an employee in
a store. Imagine how it can brighten the day of a sales clerk when someone
acknowledges them as a person. A person who is in a hurry will rush in, get
something, and rush out; they will often show impatience if the clerk is slow.

A person who is not in a hurry will do thoughtful things for others, and
will also allot time for listening (really listening) to the other person. On
the other hand, a hurried person can show thoughtfulness for others but
will grab something in a rush and drop it off to someone, however, they
often have little time for conversation as they rush to the next thing on
their list.

In a work environment, a hurried person will schedule back-to-back
meetings to maximize their time. An unhurried person will schedule
meetings with time in between for making plans and having adequate
time to get to the next meeting.

A hurried person seems to be more task driven, while the steady person
seems to be more people driven. Jesus was a ‘people driven’ person as He
walked the earth in human form. He was busy about God’s work, yet He
still took the time to stop, touch, and listen to others.

Even if others around Him tried to hurry Him up, Jesus would not be
rushed. He took the time to hold a child, touch a sick man, or talk to
someone who was rejected by others. Although He had a lot that He
needed to accomplish in three years, He chose to put people above His
schedule.

Why would He do that? I believe it was to set an example for us to follow,
especially for those who want to be like Him; an example for those who
have a desire to develop His characteristics in their own lives.

ACTION:
It seems that some are bent toward rushing through things, or else they have
allowed themselves to develop this habit. Are you a hurried person who would
like to slow down (for better health, enjoyment of life, and to be more like Jesus)?

First of all, you have to choose to slow down. Try speaking slower, walking slower,
eating slower, etc. Find ways to do things smarter so you can spend more time with
the ones you love. When you have things to do, spread them out over a longer period
of time if possible. Take deep breaths and let them out slowly, organize your thoughts
and actions to include time for others.

Changing from a hurried person to an unhurried person is not going to ‘just happen’;
it takes a conscious effort to get there and a determination to change. Changing from
a hurried to an unhurried person is a great challenge, but when we succeed in making
the change, we will be a better person to ourselves, and to others.

Pray:
“Thank You, Jesus for giving us the model of a life full of love
and patience. Thank You for taking the time to show Your
love to me. Guide me in addressing the issues of hurriedness
in my life and teach me how to take the time to do the things
that are important to You. Help me to allow Your love and
peacefulness to flow to others through me.”

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