Do you remember the story of the Tortoise and the Hare? I thought it was great. I have wondered at times what it would be like to make a movie of this. It is a classic, and I’d like you to keep in mind this story for a few moments. There is something to be said for pacing life.
There is a book out called SLOW PRODUCTIVITY by Cal Newport. It’s a surprising book because it is different than people think. Many people are “driven” to be productive in everything you do. Get the task done now because there are other tasks to accomplish. You hear about something that needs to be done - so you just do it. You wake in the morning thinking about all the tasks that are waiting for your attention. You get “pumped up” thinking of pursuing more and more tasks, often with less time to do it. You’re a high achiever. So, this book goes against everything that you just read. Many of us have placed too much value in what we’ve done.
Hurry is the way many do life and life is measured by results and more results - it is also measured by the speed of accomplishment. We live in a microwave society that embraces and promotes fast results and fast productivity.
This book is a reminder that God doesn’t love the achiever any more than the reflector - nor does he love the results-oriented employee any differently than the process oriented one. The book is a mind-boggling assault on the way the “speedy life, achiever person” lives. It answers the question, “Why am I so exhausted?”
This morning let’s just pause for a moment. God loves you so much that He gave his only son for you. We are called to be “imitators of Christ” in Ephesians 5:1. The Lord paused and so should we. There is an incredible quote from the book: This is what ultimately matters: where you end up, not the speed at which you get there, or the number of people you impress.” Some of the greatest scientists, thinkers, and industrialists learned the secret of slow productivity. What’s the secret? Taking time to think. Plan to use long-term goals. Share your workload with others. Remind ourselves regularly of the need to pause and plan about the life of a believer. Develop a simple and consistent routine. I couldn’t help but think about Paul’s words in Philippians 4:8 “Whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.” Allow yourself the time to think about the things that matter. That may slow you down, but your results will usually speed up.
