Don't Run, Walk
As I was running out of my cousin’s apartment preparing for a 9-hour drive back to my university, she pulled me into a hug and said, “Don’t run, walk.” Even though I know she meant this phrase literally because I was actively running out of the door, those words rang in my ear and caused me to reflect on my life. At that moment, I realized that I was “running” through life never feeling peace or contentment, because I was constantly wishing I was at another stage or season in my life.
Don't run, walk.
How often do you say to yourself: “I’ll be happy when…”? Many times, people believe that they will be happy when they finally get married, offered a salary, or chosen for the promotion. However, often once those “goals” are reached there is still no happiness or joy in the person’s life. Why is that? I think it is because once you keep attempting to look ahead in life and miss the beauty of your current season, you are brewing discontentment that will always be present – no matter what you accomplish.
In the book ‘Look Into the Stillness’, Donald Hicks writes: “Nature never rushes, yet everything gets done.” The key to contentment is developing the right mindset that without changing anything in your life at this moment, you can still be happy. You don’t need to wait until you’ve gained everything and made your life perfect before you’re happy, because you have everything you need to find joy right now. However, contentment should not be confused with the idea of settling. Contentment is not accepting defeat and refusing to dream, it is the art of possessing a gladness that believes: today, all that I have is enough.
Don’t run, walk.
I purposely added my cousin’s quote multiple times throughout this post to remind you (and myself) of the importance of slowing down our thoughts and actions to enjoy the place where we are currently. I challenge you to find peace and enjoyment in your current season, knowing that though things could always be better, they are certainly not worse. Every season in life is meant to teach us a lesson that we can use to apply towards our future battles. However, if you refuse to recognize the importance of your today, tomorrow will never fulfill you. Make the change today to be joyful for your portion; and remember:
“Don’t run, walk.” – Jessica Ray
Habakkuk 2:3 – ‘This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.’
