Fast Pace

SUN., SEPT. 14, 1986, 5:58 AM
FARM, STUDY

This title can well describe your chattering mind this morning, as thoughts of all sorts raced in competition with My contribution. You shall still have trouble, for some reason. Don’t fight it or try too hard. Just quietly and patiently listen, o son. You are part of a fast paced culture, and you need to consider My observations on this way of living.

Fundamentally, there is no pace of life that I would consider to be superior to all others. “For everything there is a season,” the Preacher’s analysis of life, does fit here. Most people have some tasks or occasions in life that call for a fast pace. For some this happens occasionally. At the other extreme are persons who develop a fast-paced style of life or who find themselves in connected situations that demand a fast pace. Usually those who choose such are happier with the pace than those who feel forced… even going against their will or better judgment.

This term “better judgment” implies that some who must move through life at a fast pace realize that they are pushing mind and/or body more than is healthy. Situations that should be opportunities become stressors. The body sends forth stress responses, which can be frightening. These are warnings to consider “another time.” Yet it is not always “convenient” to heed such warnings. It is sometimes quite difficult to shift down from a fast pace without being a disruptive force or not fulfilling some rather important responsibility. And it usually is understood and accepted more readily if the breakdown is obvious… like a heart attack… than if the slowdown is preventive and therefore “for no apparent reason.”

You should know by now, from the many and diverse Teachings I have offered to you, that My goal for each one of you incarnated in the earth, as well as for each spirit in any form, is spiritual growth toward selflessness and toward Me. Long life is important only if it is a life of growth. As Jesus I set a rather fast pace and in about three years of ministry I set a pattern for the ages. My premature death bought salvation for you. A longer, more leisurely life would not have been better.

Slowing down to “take care of yourself” can be counter productive to spiritual growth. When a person begins to focus on her own infirmities or potential infirmities there is an almost inevitable concentration on self that is not desirable.
6:49 / 7:01 AM
(Your excursion into the pasture was not necessary, but it was a mostly selfless motivation, so it was time well-spent, even if “unnecessary.” And it was beautiful… the pasture at this time of morning.)

If it seems desirable to slow the pace of life it is important to choose, carefully what you will continue to do. If one’s activities, even lessened and slowed down, are basically for Me, for the good of others and/or for the good of the earth, the spiritual gain may be maintained… even increased.