I had an errand to run and a little time to do it. My wife, Susan, had been asking me for several weeks (possibly months) to take care of something, and well...I just hadn't. After kindly asking again that morning, I determined that it was the day. I looked at my calendar, saw a time slot available, and mentally committed to finally getting it done. I would be a household hero, albeit a few months too late.
When the time came, I scurried out of a meeting, skipped a much-needed bio break, raced past a colleague who wanted to chat about something, ignored two other teammates, rushed down the stairs, and out the back door. I had somewhere to be and a small window to be there. I made the long journey across the parking lot (shamefully true) to a building next door to accomplish my task.
As I approached the storefront, I saw a woman leaving, and she continued to turn her head towards me. Probably thinking, "Who is this crazy old guy walking so fast towards me?" After a few glances, I tried to ignore her as the last thing I needed was an unplanned random conversation. Then she called my name. Stopping, we recognized each other as old neighbors. Ugh!!! I don't have time for small talk!
Reluctantly pausing my mission, I distractedly engaged. After a few minutes, my brain kicked in and reminded me to slow down and be present. While it wasn't easy, I could sense my frantic trance begin to wane, and I very much enjoyed the short conversation.
Rush, rush, rush. When I allow my inner squirrel brain to lead, I may gather a lot of nuts, but accomplish very little, especially in the area of impact and relationships.
"When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the laws is joyful." (Proverbs 29:18)
When you rush through your day, you miss seeing people. When you rush through your work, you make mistakes. When you rush through your life, you choose manic over memories. When you don't slow down and ask for God's guidance, you get whatever nuts the world puts in your path.
A mentor of mine reminds me often: slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. In other words, more things can be accomplished better and in less aggregate time if you slow down, focus on one thing, and do it well. It's true about your work, and it's true about your relationships. Be present, be engaged, and be effective and impactful.
Be present, be engaged, be effective, and be impactful.
Jesus slowed down to see people, to listen to people, to impact people. He didn't make careless mistakes, rush through one miracle after another, checking off a to-do list, or tell people they weren't worthy of his attention. He saw people, he listened, he engaged, and he left them better for the encounter. That's divine guidance.
Where are you running wild today? Are you spastically collecting a bowl of random nuts or do you feel like a random nut in someone else's bowl? Slow down. Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.
P.S. If you're too busy to make the three-minute journey across the parking lot to take care of something for your spouse, well...that's just dumb. You're not that important. Clear some time off your calendar. You do get to choose what you say yes to. Don't be a nut.