Don’t be so hurried

Have you ever made a mistake because you were in a hurry? I’ve often been guilty of this. I missed the opportunity and lost the battle every time. I had to learn the secret of slowing down, smelling the roses, taking a deep breath, and asking God for help.

An old Sunday school song played in my head today while I stood in line at a car rental. Written by Frank Hernandez, its lyrics are classic:

“Have patience, have patience, don’t be in such a hurry,
When you get impatient, you only start to worry,
Remember, remember that God is patient, too,
And think of all the times when others have to wait for you.”

Do you ever find yourself in a hurry? If you live in the United States of America, being in a hurry is a disease, and if you live in Los Angeles, it’s an epidemic. But if you head to the Bahamas or another tropical destination, the pace of life is much slower. Not long ago, I spent a lot of time in a small mountain community to pray and rest. Wow! The pace of life is so slow that it can get annoying.

The Bible says, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such, there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23, RSV)

The impatience I’m feeling now is not just cultural—it’s unspiritual. In fact, I decided to write this instead of losing my patience. When I’m alone waiting at a restaurant, I always bring a notepad or iPad to send texts, write notes, or jot down a list of things to do. I often say this prayer: “Holy Spirit, please help me not waste my waiting moments. Please help me accomplish something for Your kingdom. I choose to be productive. I choose to tap into the Spirit. Amen.”

What will you choose today? Depending on the Spirit or losing your patience? I encourage you to take moments of waiting and turn them into times with God, yourself, and His Spirit. You’ll never be in a hurry again.

Because you’re a miracle.

Your friend, Paul Marc Goulet