Prior to the Coronavirus lockdown I was always in a hurry. Career, social activities, exercise, dining out, planning the next adventure, etc. Then it all came to a screeching halt. Is this true for you as well?
To make matters worse (but ultimately better), I injured my knee, so my cardiovascular exercise became very limited. Then for the first time in my life, I began to exercise-walk. As a person with admitted pride in seeing just how far I can push myself, or just how sweaty my clothing could get, I didn’t respect “walking” as real exercise (sorry mom). I also assumed fitness walking would be boring.
I was wrong.
Amy and I started walking together, hitting the hills and going for ~1 hour to start. Then we began to walk further and further, faster and faster. At first I assumed I could literally walk all day but walking long distances is tiring!
Not only did the walking provide a new perspective, it brought me closer to my wife. We had a lot of fun “just being” outside with little to no distractions from electronics. As spring began to bloom, it was as though I was witnessing flowers and nature for the very first time. There were colorful floral and green explosions in many places that I’d passed hundreds of times before, but had failed to notice.
I soon fell in love with walking, with slowing down, with observing, and using the time to pray, to be thankful, and to listen to audio-books. Sometimes I’d even stop to smell the flowers, and the crazy thing was that there was something in my brain that said “stopping means failure, don’t slow down”. Where does this come from?
Slowing down became more difficult yet more rewarding than going faster.
Today’s name for Jesus: “Rose of Sharon” (Song of Songs 2:1)
I shared the walking story because this reminds me of the beautiful rose that is Jesus Christ. Going too fast and taking too much on was a joy killer and worse it distracted me from fulfillment in Jesus, from seeing him clearly.
- What lies do you tell yourself about your own worth?
- What good things do you need to “say no” to in order to “say yes” to the great things?
- Is there anything in your life where you believe “more” is better? Spend some time considering, “what if” less is best.
The thorns meant to mock him became part of his beauty. Blood red was his sacrifice. Sweet is the aroma of his forgiveness. Set apart, perfect, and vibrant: Jesus, Rose of Sharon.