Take a Breath

A few weeks ago, one of our members was hit by a car. When I first heard the news, I could not believe my ears. Was someone really so distracted, so hurried, that they didn’t see the person in front of them? Sadly, I think we’ve all witnessed moments like this. We live in a world that is moving faster and faster, and sometimes it feels like slowing down—even for a moment—is too much to ask.

I think about how quickly someone honks if I wait even a second too long when the light turns green. Or how heartbreaking it is when drivers don’t pull over for an ambulance rushing to save a life. Or when people refuse to stop for a funeral procession, as if honoring someone’s life is an inconvenience.

It’s as if we’ve forgotten how to be present in the moment. We’re always two steps ahead—thinking about the next thing, rushing to the next appointment, staring at the next notification. And yet, if we are late to a meeting, it will not be the end of the world. But if we miss being fully present with the person right in front of us, we may lose something far more important.

This rush doesn’t only show up in traffic—it shows up in our words too. We say whatever pops into our minds, on social media or in conversations, without pausing to think how our words might affect someone else. I have to admit, I’m guilty of this myself. I imagine we all are, if we’re honest.

But our faith calls us to a different way of living. James 1:19 urges us to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.” Jesus himself embodied this pace. He noticed the people others walked right past—the woman at the well and the blind man by the roadside. He wasn’t always thinking two steps ahead. He was fully present in the moment, fully present to the people in front of him.

So how do we learn to slow down? One practice I’ve found helpful is the ancient discipline of breath prayer. A breath prayer is a short prayer repeated slowly as you breathe in and out. It helps us pause, quiet our minds, and remember God’s presence right where we are.

Here’s one you might try:
As you breathe in slowly, pray: “Be still and know…”
As you exhale gently, finish: “…that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

You could also pray:
Inhale: “Come, Lord Jesus”
Exhale: “Fill me with peace.”

Try this at a stoplight, in a checkout line, or before you walk into a meeting. Even a few moments can reset your pace and open your heart to God’s presence.

May we learn again the holy gift of slowing down—of being present to God, to others, and to the moment we are in. See you Sunday!

Peace, Pastor Tracy