The morning sun hung low on the horizon, casting a warm glow across the track as I pulled up to the line. The engine’s low growl echoed through the air like a symphony of raw power reverberating in my chest. The scent of burning rubber and high-octane fuel lingered in the air, creating an intoxicating mixture that fueled the adrenaline coursing through my veins. My hands tightened around the steering wheel, fingers tapping with anticipation as the engine idled impatiently, ready to unleash its full fury.

As I stared down the stretch of asphalt ahead, the array of colorful racing flags fluttered in the breeze, each one signaling the impending battle. The crowd’s excited murmurs and cheers blended into a symphony building up the tension. My heart raced in sync with the revving engine, a rhythmic beat echoing the imminent clash of horsepower and asphalt. In that suspended instant before the green flag waved, time seemed to slow, and the world narrowed. It was just me, the machine, and the asphalt, all converging into a singular point of focus. The anticipation was palpable. Suddenly, the light went green, I pressed the accelerator to the floor and took the hard right turn right out of the gate.

What followed was a whirlwind of speed and strategy as I skillfully maneuvered through the pack, passing my competition with precision and determination. As I moved into the second place position frustration set in. I found myself stuck behind my opponent, their car blocking my path like an immovable obstacle. The urgency to break free and unleash the full potential of my car only intensified, making each second behind them seem like an eternity.

Just when I was about to make my move and take the lead, reality slammed its way into view with an unexpected force. I looked ahead, only to see the stoplight hanging above the track switch from green to yellow, and finally, red. My frustration continued to increase rapidly as I came to a stop at the intersection. I wasn’t in a race at all. The racing flags, the roar of the crowd, and the rumble of the engines were nothing but a mirage, a fleeting illusion. In reality, I found myself hurtling towards my office after dropping my daughters off at school, trapped once again in the whirlwind of another hurried morning. Regrettably, this sense of morning rush wasn’t an occasional occurrence but a predictable routine. Even though I had more than enough time to reach my destination, this inner urgency insisted on speed. I had convinced myself that the frenetic pace, often deemed normal by the world, had to be my default setting as well. This is not the way it should be. But, how can we break free from the world’s frenetic pace and embrace a life of peace?

1. Recognize the Hurry Habit

Unfortunately, the frantic pace of my mornings life had become deeply ingrained. It had become this habitual rush that seemed inescapable and even comfortable. Despite having an excessive amount of time to reach the office after taking my kids to school, this unnecessary hurry had become my constant companion. Our world seems to run on frenetic energy, and the pressure to conform to this pace is everywhere. However, we must understand and recognize that this pace completely contradicts the calm, deliberate pace modeled by Jesus.

Psalm 23 invites us to lie down in green pastures and experience the Lord’s restoration of our souls. Here, we are reminded that God’s intention for us isn’t to be perpetually caught up in chaos or this hurried existence, but to walk with Him toward in purpose in rest.

2. Resist the Pressure

In today’s “hustle” culture, there is a constant push to climb higher, work longer, and outshine everyone else. It’s like a never-ending race where the finish line keeps moving. But here’s the truth – this societal pressure is not what Jesus wants for us.

Instead of this rat race, scripture nudges us towards some timeless truths – like embracing rest, trusting the process, and leaning on God’s perfect timing. Ecclesiastes sums it up pretty nicely: “To everything, there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” It’s a reminder that life isn’t just about keeping up with the world’s crazy pace. There’s a rhythm to it, a divine timing that we can trust in. Let’s take a breath, slow down, and sync up with the beat of God’s timing.

3. Make Time to Slow Down

Slowing down is more than a luxury; it’s a spiritual discipline that enables us to connect with God and hear His voice. Mother Teresa said, “We need to find God, and He cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the Friend of silence.”

In my personal routine, driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway has become a deliberate act of deceleration. I make a daily decision to embrace the slower speed limit and use that time to immerse myself in worship music, meditate on scripture, and talk to God as if he’s in the car with me. On a typical day, there’s almost always a driver impatiently tailing me, eager to speed ahead. Over time, I’ve had to master the art of resisting this external pressure and sticking to the pace I’ve learned to be the right one. In a world that incessantly advocates for speed, our commitment should be to mirror the calm and deliberate rhythm of Jesus. He was never in a rush, yet he consistently found Himself precisely where He needed to be, exactly when it mattered most.

Does your life look more like the break-neck pace of the world? Or are you walking with Jesus-allowing Him to lead you at a healthy and restful pace? Let’s refuse to succumb to this narrative of constant hustle and embrace the transformative power of stillness, rest, restoration, and purposeful living. As we intentionally slow down, we create the space for God’s presence and we align ourselves with His perfect timing.

What are some practical steps or routines you can implement to slow down and intentionally connect with God? How would incorporating stillness into your daily life impact your overall well-being?