Go With The Slow
James 4:11-17
James Allison
In our passage today, James is talking about our will and God’s will, and how easily the two can be at odds with one another when it comes to the way we make our plans and manage our time.
Time is the great equalizer. We all have the same 1,440 minutes each day. Well, about 960 minutes after a good 8 hours of sleep… And some of you are probably thinking, 8 hours of sleep sounds amazing. As I’m saying this… Some of you are probably already thinking about the thing you didn’t get done last week… For some of you, your mind goes to all the things you’re not going to have time for this week. Many of us simply have too much to do, and not enough time to do it.
I’m sure you’ve heard this conversation here in the lobby at The Orchard - Hey, how you doing? And what’s the normal response? Oh, I’m good. Just busy. You’ve probably said it yourself. And it’s not just here… Everyone you talk to is busy. Between the big projects coming up at work, and the kids activities each night, and the trip coming up, and the things that need to be fixed, and the people we need to get back to, and the promises we made, and the information we missed, and the interruptions that keep coming… We’re all struggling to fit it all into the tiny box on the calendar each day… It’s like we all have holes in our pockets, and time is just spilling out. And for some of us it feels like we are constantly driving with the low fuel light on.
Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
God doesn’t want us to be too busy that we miss what truly matters. This morning, God is inviting us to embrace our limitations, and He wants to bring us into His life-changing perspective.
What are the top three things you are trying to solve right now?
Evil =
Is it
Is it
Does it need to be said?
How can I be a blessing?
Proverbs 19:2 - Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.
Hurry &
Love is patient -
Real life is
Proverbs 27:1 - Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring.
Different
Real life is
Psalm 90:12 - “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom”
Different
Real life is found in
John 17:4 - I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.
Different
If you want to know the will and voice of God, you must devote
Resting in God’s
When we eliminate
Discussion Questions
- What are some good ways you can guard your heart and mind when it comes to our speech?
- How come love and hurry can’t coexist?
- What priorities need to change in your life so you can slow down and experience connection with God?
- What are your thoughts on the Rope Illustration?
- When will you schedule a time to intentionally slow down and cultivate a heart relationship with God?
- What is the difference between asking God to bless your plan, verses God enacting His plan through you?
- Want to go deeper? Take a moment to examine one of following passages asking the questions “What does this say about God?”, “What does this say about me?”, and “How should I respond?”
Matthew 6:34, Matthew 16:26, Mark 14:32-35, Luke 12:16-20, John 6:38, John 17:4, Psalm 39:4-5, Psalm 90:5-12, Proverbs 16:9, Proverbs 27:1, Philippians 3:10-16, Galatians 6:14, Ephesians 5:15-16, Jeremiah 29:11, 1 Chronicles 29:15