I have currently been reading in 1 Timothy. watching a mentor reach out to his mentee and encourage him in the things that he has already told them, is a breath of fresh air. I live in a fast-paced age of instant gratification. I can text women I love and quickly tell them hi and move on with my day. Check it off the list of things I had to do for the day. I long for the days of growing herbs, smelling line dried sheets, and sending handwritten words to those who I long to see. With those.. I also long for the days of hymns. Of Songs that were wrote by those that were not wrapped up in the modern day comforts. Nothing makes my heart flutter like the sound of a violin and piano in perfect harmony as they round the chorus of In The Garden.

With thoughts of slowing down for a season, I would like you to consider Luke 24:28-35.

28So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

This text is the perfect example of the joy, love, and enlightenment we feel when we walk with Jesus. or when we are at the table with him. or when we break bread with him. Just as these men were quick to self-reflect on if they had enough fervor for the Lord to keep near to them… the moment we start to feel far from the Lord we can become negative quickly. It takes but a moment to adjust ourselves and look up and praise. We have the benefit that these men did not yet have. The Holy Spirit that was promised.

These words from H.F. Lyte are hard to read without weeping at the reminder of the Lords steadfastness in my life.

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Praying this finds you in a place of slowing down.

Chorley