still saturday: slow down
On His way to heal Jairus’ daughter, Jesus slowed down to notice the woman who touched the fringe of His robe, the woman with the issue of blood. (Mark 5:22-43)
Jesus dallied when He received word of Lazarus’ illness. And his friend had died by the time He arrived. (John 11:1-45)
In both stories, slowing down was not an unfortunate delay or some kind of distraction from Jesus’ “real” mission. Instead, slowing down was a sign of Jesus’ attention to the Spirit. Slowing down formed part of the rhythm of his life. It became a teachable moment for his disciples to rely on God’s power instead of their own limited vision and abilities. It bore fruit in ministry to others as Jesus healed the woman in the crowd, as he went on to restore Jairus’s daughter to full health, as he brought comfort to Mary and Martha, as he raised Lazarus from the dead. For Jesus, slowing down meant time enough for each one and time to give glory to God. ~April Yamasaki in Sacred Pauses: Spiritual Practices for Personal Renewal (p. 27)
Still slowing,
Sandy
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April 19-21, 2013 (past but not forgotten)
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I read this story again earlier this week. It was of great comfort to me last year when I was sick… knowing that He sees us reaching, and we are not lost in the crowd. So comforting!
All that jostling, and He felt her touch. He sees us reach…hanging on to that thought. Thanks, Lyli.
I love this, Sandy. Attention to the Spirit… yes. putting the brakes on this weekend, that I might pay better attention. Enjoy your weekend, sweet friend. XO
Kris recently posted..Weekend Wanderings
Been praying for you, girlfriend. xo
Henri, yes
slowing to the rhythm of the Spirit, yes again!
HisFireFly recently posted..Step out of the traffic
One can never go wrong with Henri. You should check out April’s book, too.
I need to slow down friend, and I’ve seem to forget how.
Michele-Lyn recently posted..they do JUSTICE
Praying for you, my sweet friend.
Thank you <3
I like that….”half of living is reflection”
Patricia @ Pollywog Creek recently posted..Still Saturday and I {LOVE} Sunday::to sing…
That’s a lot of time…
Really good thoughts for me this morning. Now being gentler with myself for the slowing down I’ve done of late. It was time for the reflection half! Thanks, Sandy!
Sylvia R recently posted..Soap Suds and Heart Songs
It’s hard to shake that feeling that we’re wasting time when we slow it down. And yet… He redeems that time.
For Jesus, slowing down meant time enough for each one and time to give glory to God.
Yes. That is the measure of whether we proceed through life at the appropriate pace. Since our purpose for living is to give God glory, perhaps we should make sure we are doing it.
Duh. (head slap)
Ouch. That hurt.
Came here to link-up and look what I find–more on exactly what I’ve been pondering. Thank you!!
Rebekah recently posted..Words of Wisdom for the Weekend ~ Waiting
So excited to see you here, Rebekah. It’s cool how we all often have the same thoughts–holy echoes.
I am amazed on how our post link up like pieces to a puzzle. I took a few photos of some birds and never noticed much about them until I studies the pictures. I saw depths of color, of personality, and their amazing beauty.
Have a blessed weekend,
Gayle
Gayle recently posted..Known
Amazing what you see in a photo that you didn’t even see while you were taking it.
I love birds.
LOVE those pictures, Sandy. And I never noticed those words “slowed down” in that story. Thanks for pointing that out!
Michelle DeRusha recently posted..Weekend One Word: Goodness
I don’t think they are, Michelle. Not that I’ve caught specifically in the versions I’ve read. It’s more inferred. He wasn’t in so great a rush despite the jostling to get to Jairus’ daughter that He didn’t notice the woman. He stopped and spoke with her. And He certainly wasn’t rushing to get to Lazarus.
I just love you beautiful people.
I feel like I’m about to crack today but these words help to slowly bring me back. God, please give me the strength to slow down.
Jen Ferguson recently posted..teabag wisdom
Amen. xo
Be still and know . . .
Blessings, Sandy!
Martha Orlando recently posted.." . . . Rose Bud . . ."
And also to you, Martha.
Love this – “time enough for each one.” There is always time enough. Thank you for this reminder of Jesus’ example.
Courtney recently posted..Number 13: Discipline Rooted in Love
For all that He calls us to do, yes. As long as we take time for Him.
What I miss when I hurry through this visit, this hour, this day. . . this life.
Sheila Seiler Lagrand recently posted..Weekend Reflection: Go
Me, too, Sheila. Me, too.
May we always be attentive to God’s rhythm for our life, whether or not it involves what we perceive as a delay. He always uses that time to accomplish His perfect will, if we allow it. Thanks for the beautiful post & for hosting, & God bless!
Laurie Collett recently posted..Salvation’s Instant Rewards Program
What we perceive as delay. His timing is different than ours. Thanks for being a faithful participant. I’m grateful for you, Laurie.
Powerful words and the picture made me smile. We don’t get to see turtles up our way, but I can appreciate the lesson.
Thanks Sandra.
Jason Stasyszen recently posted..Sanctuary: Lighter Path
I guess it’s a little cold for that there?
Officially slowing after this comment. I love those words, all of the them. I wasn’t familiar with April until she followed my blog. Curious about her book now.
Shelly Miller recently posted..Surrendering to Sabbath – Week 7
Pretty sure you’ll like it. I’m still working my way through it.
A sign of his attention to the Spirit…
Yes, I want to move slow enough to hear that whisper too. Praying your Saturday was sweet, Sandy.
Laura recently posted..How Conversations Can Change the World
We hung out in a wild bird store. Talk about sweet.
Slowing down to hear the voice of God is something I’ve been pondering for the past several days. What a delight to read your post! Thank You very much!
xo geneva
Geneva recently posted..Stand Still – Job 37:14
Hi Geneva. So glad you’re here!
i was wondering
just today
what may be the fruit
of fasting “hurry”
….of choosing to go slow
and lose the rush
as worship.
my heart leaps at this.
thanks for the sweet inspire,
Jennifer
Jennifer Richardson recently posted..truth in the tremble….