In a world that dictates conformity to the pace of life and demands our constant attention, following Jesus often requires a radical shift in priorities and practices.
It's easy to get swept up in the relentless busyness and productivity culture that surrounds us. Smart phones, social media and online shopping have trained us to expect instant gratification. Work is fast paced. Even our churches can have a certain efficiency and speed that conditions us.
Yet, as Christians, we are called to resist this current. Often, acts of resistance are not through grand gestures, but through small, intentional, countercultural acts of faith. These small moments might sometimes be misunderstood by onlookers, but I’d argue they are essential for the health of our relationships and ministries.
Building a Fire
I love building campfires. We have a fire pit in our backyard and I’ll build a fire anytime I have an excuse to do so. A few dead branches and sticks fell? I’ll build a fire! We have a free weekend night? I’ll build a fire!
For me it’s a fun accomplishment to build a fire. But I’ve realized there is something that is really good for me about the process. There is no shortcut to building a fire (fine, I could get a giant blowtorch, but I don’t want to 🙂). I can’t be in a hurry when I’m building a fire. I have to slow my pace and do it the right way if I want it to burn.
Once the fire is going, I can’t help but sit and watch it. I’m not inclined to pull out my phone and check email. I just… enjoy it. And not just for me, but for the others around, too. Lighting the fire pit in our backyard feels like a shift in priorities. The kids aren’t on a screen, they are running and playing in the yard. The adults are sitting and talking. Building a fire helps me to resist the normal, fast tempo of life. I’d like to think it does the same for my family and friends too.
The World's Pace
The world often dictates a breakneck speed, where our value is measured by our productivity. Our attention is constantly fragmented. But, the life of faith usually requires the opposite. In moments of intense busyness, when the pressure to produce is at its peak, an act of resistance might be exactly what is needed. This deliberate choice to slow down allows us to reconnect with God and gain perspective.
Here are some practical ways to incorporate acts of resistance into your life and leadership:
- Taking a Walk: When your schedule is packed and stress levels are high, stepping outside for a walk in the fresh air can be a spiritual reset. It’s a moment to breathe, pray, and remember that God is present in the midst of it all.
- Gardening: What a tangible way to practice patience and hope. Planting seeds and tending to them is a reminder that growth takes time and that God is at work even when we can’t see it.
- Keeping the Sabbath: Protecting a day of rest each week is a profound act of faith. In a culture that glorifies hustle and constant activity, taking a true Sabbath every week is a bold statement of trust in God. It’s a declaration that our worth is not tied to our work. Keeping the Sabbath reminds us that God is in control.
- Engaging in Hard Conversations: Both at home and work, it’s often easier to avoid difficult discussions and keep things moving uninterrupted. However, addressing issues directly and with grace is essential for healthy relationships and effective leadership. This too is an act of resistance, prioritizing truth and reconciliation over convenience.
Following Jesus is an act of resistance, one decision at a time. By intentionally choosing to slow down, to rest, and to engage deeply with God and others, we resist the world’s demands and align ourselves with healthy rhythms that He has created for us. God is cultivating something good and beautiful in our lives and ministries if we’ll let Him.
In these moments of resistance, we find true freedom. Freedom from the world’s relentless speed. Freedom to be present. Freedom to follow Jesus faithfully, one decision at a time.
