When was the last time you slowed down? Do you find yourself racing to be the most successful version of you? That’s not terrible; you should always grow so you don’t become stagnant in an area of your life (faith, relationships, school, etc.). 

I’m a big fan of the musical “Hamilton.” In one of the songs,  “Non-Stop,” a lyric asks, “Why do you write like you’re running out of time?” Hamilton’s colleagues, friends and family all stand (dance) around him, wondering why he’s in this hurry to write and work.  

How often have you done things like you’re running out of time? When rushing through your to-do lists, you don’t give each task much consideration and deliberation. When we run through our goals lists, we can forget our “why” or what we do it for. 

Slow down to ask your “why.” Being constantly on the go and “writing like you’re running out of time” can lead to higher stress levels and even burnout. It can cause you to forget why you’re doing something in the first place. Slowing down allows us to rest and recharge—recharge our hearts, minds and souls. 

What do we do when circumstances (like a global pandemic) arise that throw our path off course? Everyone was thrown for a loop in March 2020, forcing us to slow down. Our lives slowed down and it felt like time was at a standstill. This time allowed me to dedicate more time to caring for myself, but also more time for showing up for my friends and family. 

One feature article this month is a reprint from the book by Charaia Rush, “Courageously Soft.” She discusses how lamenting makes you tender and how, even through traumatic events, becoming soft is a process that God continually works within us. In another feature article this month, Hannah Tello writes about heartbreak and how it may not be the worst thing but instead something that can turn our hearts towards God and the unfailing grace He gives us.  

My hope is that you take time to read each word and let these words take root. Don’t flip through the pages; savor each word. You’re most likely not running out of time. Instead, slow down, rest, recharge and re-center your heart to God.

Illustration by Lan Truong