Change and hurry, two words that are on the opposite ends of the spectrum from each other. 

You can’t hurry change. Consider, if you will, the changing of the leaves in the fall. Where I live we have to suffer through the heat of summer until that heat gives way to cooler breezes and crisp nights. Along with this break in the heat is the hope of finally being able to catch a glimpse of the visual explosion of colors painted across the horizon. Trees shine with bright oranges, yellows, reds and of course the unchanging evergreen. But we cannot rush this change. It seems to happen slowly until one day when you wake up it has literally changed from a lush green landscape to a full bloom of fall colors overnight.

So why should we expect anything different in our lives? Why should we look for the next quick fix to help us change? It is not that simple, nor is it that easy. You see, change requires us to give control over to the creator. He set the seasons and only He knows how long each type of tree takes to fully change from their summer greens to their beautiful fall colors. Even now as I type this I can see the beginnings of fall out the window. 

What I love most about fall is that change, while slow, frustrating, confusing and difficult can be beautiful when left in the Creator’s hands. Change requires us to slow down and listen. Because we have to slow down, hurry becomes the enemy of change. Hurry causes us to rush, to miss the small details and most importantly hurry causes us to miss hearing that still small voice of our Heavenly Father. During a season of change He asks us to slow down and walk with Him. During a season of change and really every day He asks us to give up the controls, to allow Him to be in the driver’s seat. More than anything, remember that when we slow down and give Him the space to move, to speak, to work in our lives the change no longer seems slow, frustrating, confusing and difficult. He allows the change to seem effortless just like the leaves changing colors overnight.

By choosing a life of hurry we invite in frustrations, confusion and challenges because they go against the nature of our Heavenly Father. Really, change requires us to pause, to wait, and mostly just exercise that unused virtue of patience. We have to exercise patience because our time, at least how we measure it here, is not how God measures time. He has a completely different view of how time looks and feels. We know this to be true because of the scripture Psalm 90:4 “For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.” Or also in II Peter 3:8-9, “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

For some of you, like me, this may be a challenge. Slowing down does not come easily or naturally. Slowing down might mean giving space to a quiet that you have been avoiding. Slowing down may even mean facing something that your Heavenly Father is asking you to confront that you have been unwilling to do up until this point. I want to challenge you as well as myself to take time in this season to slow down. Take time to listen to what your Heavenly Father is speaking to you and not only that but take time to address the things He is asking you to change, slow down enough to pay attention to the small nudges, and most importantly slow down enough where you can quiet your life and hear His still small voice. I have been working on slowing down more this year and so far I have learned more about my calling and purpose, I have heard more of what my family and friends are really saying they need or want our of our friendship, and really he has been given me glimpses of what is to come. More than anything, in slowing down I have been able to hear His voice. I have been able to hear the things He says about me, I have heard wisdom, guidance and ways to take steps toward all that He has for me in this second edition of my life! He is not done with me, nor is He finished with you! Lean in my friend, He longs to speak to you, He longs to spend time with you and He longs to usher you through a change that will lead you in our calling just like He is doing with me. More than anything He wants to show us how our purpose can make an impact in His kingdom. 

Friends, while change can be scary and difficult to navigate, let’s learn from the trees this fall that change can also be beautiful when God’s hand is all over it!