Devotional: Finding an Interruptible Pace

“While he was going, the crowds were nearly crushing him. A woman suffering from bleeding for twelve years, who had spent all she had on doctors and yet could not be healed by any, approached from behind and touched the end of his robe. Instantly her bleeding stopped. “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds are hemming you in and pressing against you.” “Someone did touch me,” said Jesus. “I know that power has gone out from me.” When the woman saw that she was discovered, she came trembling and fell down before him. In the presence of all the people, she declared the reason she had touched him and how she was instantly healed. “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Luke 8:42b-48 CSB

As my son is going into his senior year of high school, I have a growing awareness that he’ll soon be an adult. With this in mind, we took a family day at Silver Falls, one of my favorite places to go for a day hike, in a growing effort to set aside the hurry. 

Why is it so challenging to bring this intentional, unhurried pace into my everyday life? I say I seek a life marked by profound patience, to focus on what’s in front of me, but too often I find myself moving all too quickly from one meeting to another, barely taking time to breathe.

I am reminded of when Jesus was on his way to heal Jairus' daughter. A woman touched him to receive her own healing from a bleeding disorder. Jesus could have kept on walking. He was on a mission to save a girl’s life. Time was of the essence.

Yet Jesus remained interruptible to see this woman - to heal her, both physically and deep within her soul. He paused in the hurried bustle and the urgency so this woman would know she mattered to him.

I know I still have work to do, but I am actively pursuing an unhurried life. Not for my sake, but so others might see Jesus in me.

Father, remind me today to stop when I rush from one activity to another to slow my pace. Show me who is along my journey that you may be asking me to pause and notice. May I be a vessel of healing to others in my unhurried pace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.