"'But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?' Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.'" (Matthew 16:15-16, NIV)

Ever felt like you've set your life to the rhythm of rush? Me too.

Sometimes it takes stepping out of the rush to see things. Recently, I went to the Holy Land. It was a trip I'd longed to take for years. But as the day to leave marched closer and closer, I wished I'd scheduled it later - another time, a time when life didn't feel so busy.

Exhaustion gnawed deep places in my heart, demanding me to slow down. But how? I've made my decisions and now my decisions have made me. Me - this shell of a woman caught in the rush of endless demands.

But the trip was booked, so I went. And I'm forever glad I did. In the Holy Land, busy took a break from chasing me. This trip forced me to "unrush," and I discovered I like who I am so much better when I'm not set to the wrong rhythm.

I also learned more about Jesus. His life. His decisions. His lessons.

And do you know what the most impactful lesson was for me personally? Jesus never rushed. He set His life to the rhythm of connection and compassion. With great intentionality Jesus stayed unrushed. This is what I want.

This is what I was longing for but didn't know it. Like Jesus, I must unrush my pace for connection and compassion to take place.

As I walked many of the same places Jesus walked, I was struck profoundly by this. He knew pressure. He knew stress. People pulled at Him everywhere He went. Crowds demanded sermons. Individuals begged for healing. The disciples wanted leadership. Friends wanted time with Him. The religious rulers wanted answers. There was an entire world to save with such limited time.

Yet, He didn't rush. He talked with the woman at the well. He reached out His hand, making contact, and healed the leper. He felt the touch of the woman with the issue of blood and stopped for her. Do you see it? Connection and compassion were central to every interaction.

And then for those with whom Jesus was the closest? That's when He was the most unrushed.

While I was in the Holy Land, I visited the site that's recorded in Matthew 16:13-20. In the shadow of a pagan temple hustling with unspeakable acts and human sacrifices, Jesus asked His disciples just who they really thought He was. Then He pointed and said, "I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it," (NKJV). He connected truth with Peter's calling. He compassionately assured Peter that the church would prevail.

I'm sure Peter recalled this conversation many, many times.

It must have given him the courage to become one of the most pivotal church leaders in history. And he had this conversation to remember, because Jesus wasn't too busy to have it. When I was in Israel, I learned the Lord walked three days to get to this one spot where He made this point with Peter.

It would seem Jesus was unrushed so He could be incredibly intentional and laser-focused on connection and compassion.

If I were reading this right now, I would probably think, "That's great you went to the Holy Land and it helped unrush you, but I can't do that right now." I understand. So, let this truth from Jesus' life come to you.

It's not the location that changed me.

It was the revelation.

Jesus didn't rush, so neither should I.

Today, let's pray this very simple three-word prayer that we so desperately need: "Lord, unrush me."

Father God, these three words are the echo of my soul. Lord, show me how to slow down and leave that sacred space for relationships. I want to follow Your example of staying focused on connection and compassion. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

***

TRUTH FOR TODAY:

Hebrews 10:24-25, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (NIV)

RELATED RESOURCES:

A woman who lives with the stress of an overwhelmed schedule will often ache with the sadness of an underwhelmed soul. Lysa's new book, The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands, can help to breathe new life into your situation! Click here to purchase your copy.

Connect with thousands of other women just like you who want to unrush their lives through Proverbs 31 Ministries' Online Bible Study of The Best Yes. It kicks off today, Mon., September 22! Click here to sign up.

Does your Bible reading ever feel a little dry? Maybe your daily walk with God seems a little off-kilter sometimes? If so, don't miss The Best Yes FINAL webcast TONIGHT with Lysa TerKeurst and special guest Karen Kingsbury, author of Angels Walking. Join us at 8 pm EDT for a powerful Bible teaching from Lysa, a great discussion with Karen Kingsbury and lots of #TheBestYes giveaways! Find all the details at www.lysaterkeurst.com.

REFLECT AND RESPOND:

What do you need to do to protect and strengthen the fabric of your relationships? How can you get help to divide up your responsibilities and have healthy time with the people who matter most to you?

Connecting with those we love is like soul food. Write down three or four people close to you who might benefit from some relational time with you in the next week. Then be intentional with a phone call, email or text message to them.



© 2014 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.