I just came from two days away from home for business and visiting a good old friend. Much driving, stress driving in Toronto, sleeping away from home is never the same. This morning I am rather tired. During my Quiet Time this morning I came across a very timely devotion written by John G Butler. The title caught my attention “Slow Down”.

God is still in heaven. You are not responsible for doing it all – yourself – right now!

In a few minutes, I am having breakfast with a business executive who is experiencing recurring health problems (heart attack 5 years ago). Unabated work pressure, frequent travel, and little time for himself are taking their toll on his life. Perhaps slowing down is at least part of the solution. Six pointers:

• Allow yourself some time to be lazy and unproductive. Rest isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.

“Because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.‘” (Mark 6:31)

• Once in a while, turn down the lights and the volume. Turn down the throttle, and the invitations. Less really can be more.

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life… Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.” (1 Thessalonians 4:11a; Ecclesiastes 4:6)

• Create a place in your home — At your work… in your heart… where you can go for quiet and recollection.

“The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever… In quietness and trust is your strength… ” (Isaiah 32:17; 30:15a)

• Take time just to think — Action is good and necessary, but it’s fruitful only if we muse, ponder, and mull.

“Watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!

Don‘t live carelessly, unthinkingly… ” (Ephesians 5:15, 17b – The Message)

• Talk and play with children – It will bring out the unhurried little person inside you.

“Jesus said, ‘… Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me… Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:5, 14)

• Take time to wonder — Without wonder, life is merely existence.

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:3, 4)