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I grew up absolutely loving Calvin & Hobbs. There was a kindred mischievous spirit in the boxes I found in my paper each week. I enjoyed it almost as much as my mother, who clearly agreed we shared some similarities. This one panel reminded me this week how often we rush to do things and disregard how God factors in. We can type words, comments, or texts with lightning speed, never pausing or considering the impact on those we love or should love. We can spend money with a simple click. We can endanger lives with our distraction or selfishness on the interstate or our neighborhood.
We all know that living intentionally, living slower, allows us to make better decisions, but the pace of our world and technology is like a little stuffed tiger of our own making, echoing our own voices and urging us, “hurry, mom is yelling.” And there we are, perched atop a ladder, trying to be a little careful, but knowing we aren’t making our best decisions. So what slows us down? Most of us have some habits from our families of origin, refrains and mantras they passed, and scriptures and songs we have internalized. I still cross bridges in bad weather and hear my mother say, “bridges ice before roads!” These are words her own father said to her. I still slow down before bridges in cold weather.
A major part of discipleship is slowing down. Sometimes, it’s to consider the wisdom of people and God’s word which we trust. And sometimes, we have to find new ways to slow ourselves. For a time, people wore WWJD bracelets to daily remind themselves. Some folks have a rosary on the rear view or bobble head Jesus on the dash to remind them to drive more lovingly. A fish stitched on your wallet, a cross sticker on your monitor, a picture of the people you love on your phone Lock Screen so you are reminded who and whose you are as you click through this world. This week, slow down a little. Before you dive off a ladder, egged on by your own imagination, slow down, listen for the one who loves you and is calling your name. That voice will lead you to the life we are called to live together.
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