Sometimes, all God wants is our attention.

I have recently been made aware of the fact that I do not always slow down enough to notice important changes. Like speed limits changing from a fast –paced 50 mph to a slow and mindful 30mph. How do I know this you ask?

I broke the law.

I was on my way to the airport to pick up a most beloved friend from her journey, when all of a sudden, I saw bright red and blue lights flashing behind me. My heart sank to the bottom of my feet. In my hurry, I had failed to see that there had been construction going on in the area. The new residents in the area asked for a slower speed for their neighborhood since children are usually present. A very wise suggestion. The previous speed of 50mph was no longer the norm. As the police officer approached my car, he asked if I knew what speed I was driving. I knew I was driving 52mph; just a tad over what I thought was the normal speed limit. “No ma’am, you were going 22 miles OVER the speed limit. This is now a 30mph zone.”

I would have known that had I slowed down to see the bright yellow signs beforehand with the little red flags warning that the speed limit was different.

Why can’t the city do construction where I think it needs to be done?

This area of town was fine before;

Why change the speed limit before I have to drive through there?

Didn’t the city officials know I had to drive through there with great speed so I could arrive on time to pick up my friend?(They weren’t to blame; I should have left earlier in the day to the airport….hindsight)

The answers to those questions would have to wait for another day.The officer came back and let me know that because of the greatness of my traffic offense, I would have to make a mandatory court appearance in court.

Yay me.

And it all could have been avoided if I had taken the time to

s-l-o-w

d

o

w

n

and recognize what was going on around me.

Slow down.

Changes were occurring without my knowledge. In parts that I would one day need to be in. As the kind officer handed me my ticket with “COURT DATE” imprinted with bright red ink, I felt a gentle whisper from the Holy Spirit saying:

“Slow down. I am at work in areas where you are not recognizing it.

Stop; notice what I’m doing all around you, and in you, and for you.

Slow down, take a look deep inside; I am working, even in the places where you think there is no work needed. Even in the places where I’ve worked before.

Slow down.

Recognize where I am at work.”

Friend, are you like me?

Busy; racing around with packed calendar schedules, too hurried to recognize the changes happening around us or even in us?

Oh Lord, help me to slow down to recognize You.

Help me hear Your Voice clearly when you are calling.

Jesus, forgive me for complaining about where you choose to work and the times and seasons that I may be experiencing while in the process.

Your plans for my life are far more beautiful and purposeful than I could ever attempt to construct with my own hurried hands.

Lord, I want to see You in the midst of the heart-work that you are doing in and around me.

I want to make time for moments of pausing and intentional pursuit of You and Your Word.

When I am rushing and too distracted to recognize Your work, remind me to take a moment to slow down. I don’t want to rush anymore.

I trust you with my comings and my goings and the whole journey in between. You are my help-Creator of Heaven and earth and of my very being. You’re still creating great works in and around me.

And when I feel restless and unsettled because of the speed of things, I will take comfort in Your Word which reminds me that You have made, and are still making all things new.

Let me have eyes to see You and ears to hear You, and a spirit that is willing to yield to Your hands at work in me.

Amen.

Friend, let’s be intentional today about our surroundings and take time to slow down and notice that God is working in and among us.

peace- Liz

P.S.: Join me in reading these verses throughout the day today:

“Look! I’m doing a new thing; now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it?

I’m making a way in the desert, paths in the wilderness.”

‭‭(Isaiah 43:19-CEB)

~~~~ 

“I raise my eyes toward the mountains.

    Where will my help come from? 

My help comes from the Lord,

    the maker of heaven and earth.

God won’t let your foot slip.

    Your protector won’t fall asleep on the job.

No! Israel’s protector

    never sleeps or rests!

The Lord is your protector;

    the Lord is your shade right beside you.

The sun won’t strike you during the day;

    neither will the moon at night.

The Lord will protect you from all evil;

    God will protect your very life.[a]

The Lord will protect you on your journeys—

    whether going or coming—

    from now until forever from now.”

(Psalm 121-NIV)