Why I Decided to Change the Pace of My Life

Recently, I dropped out of a race.

Truthfully, I didn’t even realize I was running. My daily liturgy moments became focused on competing with others. I lost track of who God made me. Why was I racing in the first place?

My days became frantic. Constantly checking social media, creating content for posts, and learning how to do better. Yet, while I was focused on “more,” I was feeling “less.” Less peaceful. Less confident. Less productive in other ways.

As someone who wants to embrace new opportunities that present themselves, saying no is challenging. I don’t want to miss anything. Yet I recognize that sometimes God calls us back to rest.

When I step back, I am letting God’s character show through me as I enter into the places where I am led right now. That includes exploring other creative outlets that give me pleasure. It means also humbly acknowledging that God can use others to move in the places in which I have stepped aside. Perhaps, my own blessed experiences have occurred because someone else left a place for me

So I hit the pause button. I slowed down my pace and reflected on my identity and who I was trying to please. Emily P Freeman’s words in her book, The Next Right Thing, speak to me. In writing about filtering choices, she says, “Choose your absence so that your presence will have more impact. ..As him (Jesus), then listen well. Your work is your work. Your pace is your pace. Your life is your life. What a gift.”.

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
    don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
    he’s the one who will keep you on track. Proverbs 3:5-6

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