By Rae Lynn DeAngelis
It was the perfect day: clear blue skies, low humidity, temperatures hovering in the mid-seventies, the kind of day that channels your inner child and beckons you to come out and play.
We called our friends and asked if they would like to join us for an impromptu bike ride along the river near our home. I was delighted when they said yes.
We live in a quaint little town called Lawrenceburg, IN. Over the years the city has done a great job of revamping old buildings and sprucing up the streets, making it much more family friendly. They even added a beautiful bike path which meanders along the Ohio River and dumps you into the next town.
Our friends met us at the bike rental area by the levy, and within minutes, we were on our way.
Lori and I pedaled at a more leisurely pace, taking in our beautiful surroundings. The river to our left glistened with flecks of light, sparkling like diamonds. As we coasted down a small hill, the bikes picked up speed. The cool breeze felt good against my skin. I felt so free.
When we came to the tree lined area which canopied the path like a tunnel, the smell of earth and forest reminded me of my childhood—summers spent building forts in the woods with my friends. Each one of my senses was awakened; I felt so alive.
I suddenly realized how far we had lagged behind our husbands. In fact, they were so far ahead of us, Lori and I could barely see them. They were on a mission—a mission to reach a destination. Lori and I, on the other hand, were savoring each moment of this journey.
I thought to myself… What’s the rush, guys?
Almost immediately, God spoke to my heart… Yes, Rae Lynn, what’s the rush?
You see, for the past several months, I had been running hard and fast where the ministry was concerned. I could see the destination up ahead and felt a sense of pressure to get there as fast as I could. The pace was making me weary. I felt miserable and my passion was beginning to wane. At times, I even felt like giving up and closing down the ministry.
God has a way of teaching me deep spiritual lessons through ordinary life experience, experiences like a day of leisure with friends along a bike path.
I sensed God whispering to my spirit that day… Rae Lynn, you will enjoy life a lot more if you slow down and embrace the beauty I have for you along the way. I’m much more interested in growing you than having you arrive at a particular destination.
Not long after this timely object lesson, I began slowing things down a bit where the ministry was concerned. I started striding instead of striving—taking long decisive steps in a specific direction. I was beginning to feel such a sense of peace!
“Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed” (Proverbs 3:17-18).
Today, I am walking at a much slower pace. I call it the pace of God’s grace .
Here and now or there and then? The choice is ours, but God has made it abundantly clear what is most important to Him.
It’s about the journey, not the destination.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:2-3).