The long game of slowing down

There was a moment in the quarter final Mexico-England game when we had the ball in our own half, but the player in possession appeared to be taking his sweet time, slowly dribbling forward. “What’s he doing?” I shouted at the screen. Then I noticed that the opposition were holding back. They were slowly stepping backwards, without any urgency and making no attempt to tackle. It seemed to last a lifetime, although it was probably only a few seconds. Everyone on the pitch was overheating, and it looked as though they all needed a moment. Soon afterwards, the commentator noted how hot it was and how carefully the players needed to preserve their energy.

I have played football in high heat, pouring rain and snow, and the heat is by far the hardest. In the heat, we need to take our time. We need to go more slowly, take more breaks, be patient with one another, and keep the immediate moment in the perspective of the longer game.

Many of us are currently living through a heatwave, and most of us are basking, or perhaps wilting, in the summer sun. Seasonally, we are hot, and many of us will be slowing down for holidays and rest.

This seasonal rhythm of rest is often mirrored in our monthly and weekly rhythms. Hopefully, we all have regular moments of rest amid the heat of our busy lives. Days off, exercise, seeing friends, hiding in a book, walking the dog and praying in the morning are beautiful rhythms that sustain us and bring us life. But I have noticed that there is a significant difference between having a regular rhythm of slowing down and entering a prolonged season of it.

The greatest difference is in our ability to notice. When occasional moments of slowing down become a sustained season, our ability to notice is sharpened. With it comes a greater capacity to digest what is happening and to respond wisely.

The Desert Fathers, medieval mystics, monks and nuns often wrote of visions and deep wisdom, no doubt partly because their lives were slowed down for prolonged periods for the sake of Jesus. Teresa of Ávila is a particular favourite of mine, and I cannot imagine her discovering so many rooms in the interior castle without sustained rhythms of slowing down and seeking God. However, we do not tend to see much prolonged slowing down during Jesus’ ministry in the gospels. There are several examples of him withdrawing within the rhythms of daily life and there is, of course, the wilderness moment at the beginning of his ministry, though I would not call this rest. Months or years of stepping back and slowing down are not evident, especially in Mark, where everything seems to happen “immediately”.

We should not forget, however, that Jesus spent around thirty years largely hidden from the crowds, followed by only a few intense years of public ministry. Also, being within an oppressive regime, the Gospel accounts do not give us a detailed picture of how to sustain ministry for decades within a democracy that gives us freedom to share our faith and the relative wealth to live as long as many of us do. We can apply the principles of Jesus’ ministry to our own lives, but when thinking about longevity, we may also need to look further afield.

Within Christian tradition John appears to have been a disciple who lived for a while, although we receive only glimpses of his later life. Of note to this reflection, his gospel was written much later than the rest, and as such he had more time to reflect and chew on his walk with Jesus, which shows in the deeply theological nature of his gospel. Following his letters we have the Book of Revelation, which may, or may not, be written by the same John. Even so the John associated with Revelation, gained his vision during isolation on Patmos. It was in this place of forced seclusion, which likely entailed a slowing down, that Revelation came. Time, and a slowing down, has helped to give us deep insight into Jesus and God’s heart for us. Slowing down and taking our time, when the game is long can be helpful.

So, what do we notice when we slow down?  Firstly, we notice our own bodies.

We notice what they need and what they do not, how they have kept the score, where we carry wounds, and where we need to let a little light in. For me, slowing down has given me time to receive an ADHD diagnosis. I have begun to see how busyness has masked the relentless restlessness and frustration that come with my ADHD. A way to describe this sensation is like a car resting at a traffic light; it looks like the car is stationary but the engine is constantly running. I am learning where I need to show myself grace, where I need to name my restlessness rather than get frustrated and  where my restlessness can be directed constructively. Through intentionally slowing down, I have noticed things I would never have recognised during my usual prayer time or ordinary downtime. These things are affecting my health, the way I treat others, and, very significantly, the way I lead. Perhaps try asking this question ‘What is my body telling me, and how can it help me understand myself, my relationship with God and those around me?’

Secondly, we notice the movement of the world around us.

When we stop rushing through it, we can begin to see the other person. In that moment in the football game, each player became more than the sum of their football shirts, they were people who needed a moment to breathe. Personally, in slowing down I’m noticing the different emotions my family are feeling in greater depth, and I’m actually able to respond in loving kindness (I try at least, I’m not perfect!). But, on a very different note, I’m also able to stop on my walk with my dog, and notice the flowers that have been lovingly cared for in this heat, and the butterflies and bees that are appreciating them. There’s something incredibly beautiful about simply observing and taking a moment to live in the nature that God has made.

Thirdly, we notice the quiet movement of the Spirit.

I place this third because much of the work of noticing ourselves and the world around us, not only helps us discern God more clearly, but also allows us the time to notice the Spirit in each other and the world around us. So slowing down helps us to ask deeper questions of God and to listen more wisely. For example, I’ve been asking whether the nudge I feel is the Spirit of God, or is it simply my restlessness urging me onwards? Or might God, in fact, be speaking through my restlessness, redirecting rather than removing it? And in doing so I’m learning a lot more about who God is, God’s love for me, who I am, and I’m beginning to gain a greater sense of the peace that surpasses our understanding.

This can all seem like a bit of naval gazing, but not if these moments shape us towards a likeness in Christ and an ability to discern the Spirit’s work more clearly. It’s a gift to be treasured. Furthermore, not all of us will be called to lay down tools and enter a pro-longed season of rest, that’s fine we all have our season God is growing us in, but if you get a chance, I encourage you to take it.

As this summer roles on, if you have a moment to rest take it, bask in it and enjoy it. I encourage you to slow down in the heat because your body may just need it. If you have a busy schedule ahead, can you find a time to book a rest in after the summer, be it a day, a weekend, a week or a more prolonged season. We may be in this for the long game and I’m encouraging us to live in light of this. Allowing ourselves the time to slow down, to notice ourselves, to notice the world around us and to notice the activity of the Spirit is a gift to be treasured.

Jo will be at New Wine this Summer, she’d love to have a coffee with anyone who’d like to catch up. You can connect with her via her email (jo@ruralministries.org.uk) or WhatsApp (07422 944006).

Jo Allen

Joint CEO, Rural Ministries