It is so easy to get caught up in the craziness of this world, never having time to do the things we deem important. We shift from one fad to the next, scrolling through social media if we happen to have a free minute on our hands. This is a passive lifestyle that guarantees burnout and dissatisfaction. But what if there were a different option? A lifestyle that allowed you to slow down and make time for what is truly important. This is the art of slow living.
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What is slow living?
Slow living is all about choosing to live intentionally. It is about saying no to the business of life so you can say yes to the things that really matter to you. Slow living is about not keeping up with the Joneses in order that you can keep up with your family and friends. It is about living with less so that you can experience what you have more fully. It’s a lifestyle that allows you to be reflective of what is important in your life.
This is why a slow living synonym is intentional living. The slow living philosophy is all about a “more of this, less of that mindset.” As Christians, we should be desiring more of God and less of the world. This is slow living.
How slow living was first introduced by God
The concept of slowing down is not new. Intentional living was first introduced by God when he worked for 6 days to create the world and everything in it, and then, on the seventh day, He rested. Throughout the Old Testament, God commands His people to take a Sabbath rest – an intentional day out of the week where they can do no work. In the New Testament, Jesus becomes our Sabbath rest.
Hebrews 4:9-10 talks about the rest that Jesus gives, saying: “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.” This kind of rest only comes from believing in Jesus and trusting Him to fulfil His promises. This is a rest that we get from reading His word.
God tells us that we don’t need to do more or be more. But rather that we need to rest in Him.
What is rest in God?
The rest that God gives is having peace with Him. God promises that He will give us peace. The kind of peace that surpasses all understanding and guards our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7).
God gives us rest from being weary and burdened under the weight of this world (Matthew 11:28-30). He calls us to cast our anxiety on Him, because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).
We have rest in God because we don’t have to worry about tomorrow’s tasks. Matthew 6:25-34 tells us that we don’t need to worry about what we will eat or drink or wear, because God is in control. Instead we should be focused on seeking first the kingdom of God.
Related post: Do not worry: God’s command to never be anxious
The heart of a slow life
Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). – This is slow living because we realize that this world sells us quick fixes and needing more things to be successful. There are so many examples of people needing to do and be more in order to feel accepted by others. But to be truly successful in life, all we need to hear is “well done my good and faithful servant.”
How does your life reflect those words? The purpose of life is to glorify God, making Him known to all. Living a slow life full of intentionality can help to accomplish this because you aren’t worried about all of the things that the world find important. Suddenly wearing the latest fashion, having the biggest house, or owning the newest car doesn’t matter. The only thing that truely matters is living Holy lives, dedicated to God.
How you can practice slow living
A slow life doesn’t always come natural. It can be hard to make a switch from this fast-paced world that is focused on selfishness (Self-love is not the same as God’s love) and looking a certain way, to being kingdom minded. But it is not impossible. Here are a few simple steps to taking your life back from the world and handing it over to God.
Figure out your “why”
If you were to sit down right now and write out your eulogy in three sentences, what would you say about yourself? Would it go something like “she was always on her phone and never had time to hang out with her children.” Or maybe “she seemed too busy to talk to friends and was always in a hurry to get somewhere.” Maybe “her family took the back-burner as she climbed her way up the work ladder.”
Does your eulogy say what you want it to say? Or does your life not match up with the things that you actually think are important. Now, instead of writing about what your life currently reflects, write a three sentence eulogy of what you want your life to reflect. “She was quick to laugh with her family and always new the right Bible verse to cheer everyone up.” Or, “her love for God was evident in everything she did.”
Figure out what is most important to you. Hold on to these things as you make adjustments to your life so you can slow do and live intentionally. Then ask yourself if their importance is reflected in the time you spend.
Figure out where your time is going
Now that you know your “why” it’s time to figure out how to make it happen. In order to do this, you need to figure out where your time is going. Chances are, you figured that out in your first eulogy rough-draft.
Are you endlessly scrolling on instagram? It’s time to say no to that, so you can say yes to your why. Are you binging Netflix? Are you volunteering for so many “good causes” that you don’t have time to dedicate to what God has called you to?
It may take a few days of intentionally being mindful of where your time is going, but once you know you can begin to shift your focus on to what is important to you so that you can practice slow living.
Tips for your slow living journey
Once you know why you want to slow down and what you want to prioritize, as well as what is stealing your time away from you, here are some tips for you to practice slow living.
Enjoy living more intentionally with less stuff
There is a reason that minimalism is often linked to slow living. And that is because when you are constantly trying to acquire more things – like that awesome pan set you’ve been seeing on instagram – you miss out on enjoying what you already have. Next time you find yourself longing for something new, take time to be grateful for what you already have.
Enjoy being present instead of connected
When you are bored, what do you do? Pull out your phone to see the latest influencers happenings? Consider leaving your phone behind as you work on being present in everyday life. Set time-limits for apps, place your phone in the kitchen drawer during the day, or leave your phone behind while you go to the park with your kids. These are all simple ways to practice slow living. If you want a real challenge, maybe spend one day a week without technology.
Take time everyday to live slowly
If our rest is found in Jesus, then set aside time everyday to spend with him. This is not just another thing to check off your to-do list. It is the only way to find true rest. Isaiah 26:3 promises that when we are focused on God and His word, we will have peace. So often we feel overwhelmed because we take our eyes off of God and try to figure out problems for ourselves.
Related post: 7 ways to have a successful daily Bible study.
Again, in Exodus 33:14, God tells us that when His presence is with us, He will give us rest. Spending time with God, knowing that His presence is with us and enjoying His word, is the best way to find true rest. Here is one area in your life that if you say “no” to mindless scrolling and “yes” to time with God, you will notice a change in your life. This is the best way to practice slow living.
Be rooted in truth
One of the fastest ways to get burnt out is to not know where you are rooted. As Christians, we are rooted in Christ. Colossians 2:6-7 reminds us of the importance of being rooted in Christ and His word. We need to continually live for Him, being rooted in His love and His truth. When we are rooted in Him we can rest, knowing that the craziness of life can come at us but we will not be swayed.
Schedule a reminder every week to slow down
It is so easy for the days to fly by, turning into weeks, which turn into months. Before you know it, your good intentions to slow down are out the window as you prepare for another busy season of life.
In order to ensure that you are able to live slowly, set a checkpoint in your week where you can sit down and evaluate where you are and where you are going. Grab a cup of coffee and sit on the porch, asking yourself if the past week reflects who you want to be, or if there are some changes you need to make for the following week.
Be honest with yourself about your shortcomings, but do not fixate on them. Rather use them as a way to spur yourself on to meeting your goals and living in the grace and rest of God. Take a moment to reflect on your daily quiet time with God. Was it a priority, or did it fall into the cracks of business? Was it restful, or was it just another thing to check off your list?
What things are coming up this week that require you to be fully present? Have you allotted enough time to those tasks so that you do not feel rushed during the day, or do you need to shift some things around?
What slow living is not
Slow living is not laziness. Hebrews 6:12 instructs us that instead of becoming lazy, we should “imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” In order to imitate those great saints in the faith, we need to work hard with a kingdom focus. Everything we do is in light of the kingdom of God and making Him known.
Slow living is not a trend. Although slow living has seen a dramatic increase since the pandemic, those who practice slowing down don’t tend to go back to a quick lifestyle. Once you realize the benefits of living a more intentional life, it would be impossible to go back to a passive lifestyle.
SLow living is not an aesthetic. Although there are so many beautiful pictures on instagram of people promising a slow life, you do not have to live in a 50 shades of beige house to practice mindful living. You can live slowly and still maintain your own unique fashion and decorating habits.
You don’t need to live in a farmhouse on a homestead and ignore friends and family to live a slow life. If that were the case, you would miss out on so many of life’s greatest moments. The art of slow living is all about knowing what is important and what is not. Once you know that, choose to live accordingly.
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