The Rhythm

James 1:¹⁹ “…Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” (NIV, emphasis added).

We have learnt when we should move fast. The other side of rhythm is when do I move slowly? When do I pause, and not take immediate action? Proverbs 14:²⁹ “It’s smart to be patient…” (CEV). So, when should I be patient? When should I ponder before I move? Why should I delay a little bit, or a lot deliberately, before I move? There are times you need to delay so that you can be in sync with the timing of heaven. The first time you need to go slowly is When You Do Not Have All The Facts. When I do not have all the facts, I do not move. I do not insist on getting all the facts to move. But when I do not have enough facts, I pause.

You should pause when you do not have enough facts. Proverbs 19:² “Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.” (BSB). Do not move too quickly. There is a place for instant decisions. But most times, you need to delay your decisions when you do not have all the facts. Folks say just follow your heart. Your heart is very deceitful. Jeremiah 17:⁹ “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” Your heart can deceive you. In fact, your heart lies to you all the time and you lie to yourself more than anybody else lies to you.

Have you seen an ugly man deceiving himself and calling himself a fine boy? Or someone who is living like a pauper calling himself a prince? If he is a prince, it is only of the kingdom of heaven. The key thing is, don’t always trust your heart. If your heart is your only compass, you are going to hit walls in this life and get out of sync. Proverbs 18:¹³ “What a shame—yes, how stupid!—to decide before knowing the facts!” (LB, emphasis added). In other words, to decide before knowing the facts is shameful and stupid. What you really need is an objective source of truth beyond yourself. Yes, hear what your heart is saying but you need a compass outside of yourself.

When should I move slowly? When I Am Hurt, Angry, or Depressed (H.A.D.). Anytime you are hurt, angry, or depressed, calm down. Do not move because you are going to make mistakes. Today’s anchor scripture highlights rhythm very clearly — quick, slow, slow. When you do the first two, the last one will be effortless. If you are quick to listen, and you are slow to speak, you will be slow to get angry. Proverbs 14:²⁹ “Whoever is patient and slow to anger shows great understanding, but whoever has a quick temper magnifies his foolishness.” (Voice).

Prayer: Father, I ask for the grace to move slowly when I do not have all the facts; when I am hurt, angry, and depressed, in Jesus Name. Amen!