BROADCASTS.com

READ: MATTHEW 11:28-30; 14:13-23; MARK 5:21-43\n\n\n\nOne of my biggest pet peeves is slow walkers. I remember in high school I would inwardly scream when I was caught behind someone dillydallying. And now, when I go to the grocery store, I weave my cart in and out of families on busy afternoon shopping trips. I drive over the speed limit. It never seems to matter that I get up hours before I need to leave for work or class\u2014I\u2019m always rushing out the door with my shoes untied and coffee spilling out of my mug.\n\n\n\nBut then I think, and I wonder: Was Jesus a slow walker? If I were lucky enough to be one of the disciples who lived with Jesus for three years, what would I learn about the pace of His life?\n\n\n\nEverywhere Jesus went, He taught and healed and saved. Although His days were packed with action, Jesus allotted time for interruptions to His rhythms and routines. In Mark 5, a father named Jairus pleaded with Jesus to heal his dying daughter, and Jesus agreed to go with him. Now just consider Jairus\u2019s panic and desperation, but also hope, as they made their way through town. This man was in a rush to get home. But then, Jesus just stopped, and said, \u201cWho touched my clothes?\u201d I imagine Jairus thinking, What does He mean \u2018who touched me\u2019? The crowd is all around Him! In the middle of Jairus\u2019s darkest hour, Jesus stopped for a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. Then, Jairus found out that his daughter had died during Jesus\u2019s short delay. The messengers said, \u201cYour daughter is dead. Why bother the teacher anymore?\u201d (verse 35). But Jesus knew it wasn\u2019t too late. He knew there was enough time for both the woman who was bleeding and for Jairus\u2019s daughter. On that day, He healed them both.\n\n\n\nJesus was present. He was keenly aware of His surroundings, and He had compassion on those around Him. Jesus paused to listen to others\u2019 needs and love them well. In the same way, Jesus is attentive to us, and He invites us to live and love like He does. When we slow down, we can begin to notice the Holy Spirit moving within and around us. Rather than always focusing on \u201cthe next thing,\u201d we are invited to come and see what He is doing in the present moment.\n\n\n\nSo yes, I think Jesus was a slow walker\u2026and I want to be one, too. \u2022 Zoe Brickner\n\n\n\n\u2022 Do you know anyone who lives their life at a slower pace, making an effort to be attentive to the Holy Spirit and to the people around them? What is it like to be with them?\n\n\n\n\u2022 Consider taking a moment to ask God to help you be more aware of His constant presence with you, and more responsive to His invitations to rest in Him and to love and serve those around you.\n\n\n\n\u201cFor my [Jesus\u2019s] yoke is easy and my burden is light.\u201d Matthew 11:30 (NIV)