Somedays the pace of this world is way too fast. I get sucked into the rat race of living or making a living. I forget how to truly live.

What can I do to slow down the pace? In the morning, I take time to study the Word and pray before I go off to work. Over the weekend I like to change the pace from my work week. I like to read, watch movies, chat with a friend, catch up with family members and even do some cooking or baking! In the summer on Saturday evenings we like to go downtown to the park to listen and dance to the tunes of big bands of yesteryear. By changing the pace, it allows me to let go of the past week and to prepare for the one upcoming. 

Recently, the Lord led me to a quote from Graham Cooke. "Put rest at the gate of your life so that anything that wants to come in is going to have to get through peace." Changing my pace helps to place that rest at the entrance to my life. If I allow circumstances to be sifted through the Prince of Peace, I believe that peace in my life will allow me to adjust my pace more easily.  

Take the time to read Psalm 23 in The Passion Translation as you allow Jesus to change the pace of your day.

The Lord is my best friend and my shepherd.
I always have more than enough.

² He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love.
His tracks take me to an oasis of peace, the quiet brook of bliss.

³ That’s where he restores and revives my life.
He opens before me pathways to God’s pleasure
and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness
so that I can bring honor to his name.

⁴ Lord, even when your path takes me through
the valley of deepest darkness,
fear will never conquer me, for you already have!
You remain close to me and lead me through it all the way.
Your authority is my strength and my peace.
The comfort of your love takes away my fear.
I’ll never be lonely, for you are near.

⁵ You become my delicious feast
even when my enemies dare to fight.
You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit;
you give me all I can drink of you until my heart overflows.

⁶ So why would I fear the future?
For your goodness and love pursue me all the days of my life.
Then afterward, when my life is through,
I’ll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you!

What will you do this week, to slow down the pace and set your focus upward on Jesus?

This post is part of Kate Motaung's "Five Minute Friday," which she hosts on the Five Minute Friday website. Kate posts a single word each week and each blogger sets a timer for 5 minutes to write and then posts, with very little editing. (Some weeks I have more trouble with that part than others) Check out the other writers this week!