"He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul." (Psalm 23:2-3)
We’ve all felt it—the endless push to do more, to be more, to fix everything right now. It’s a constant, heavy pull, dragging us into a cycle of busyness and urgency. Whether it’s work, family, ministry, or the expectations we place on ourselves, there’s always something shouting for our attention, whispering that we’re not enough until we finish it all.
But have you noticed how rushing leaves us feeling empty, not fulfilled? We end the day exhausted, but not at peace. The weight of striving presses down, and no matter how much we do, it feels like there’s always more.
Why? Because rushing isn’t from God.
My mentor once told me, “The devil rushes. God guides.”
She shared a story about a season in her life when she was completely overwhelmed. Her days were packed with ministry, work, family, and countless commitments—16 or 17 responsibilities she was juggling at once. She felt like she couldn’t keep up, like she was failing no matter how hard she worked.
Finally, she went to God in prayer and said, “God, here is my plate. Remove everything that’s not from You.”
And He did.
What had felt like an impossible burden of 16 or 17 items was reduced to three. Just three things that God called her to focus on. The rest? He didn’t ask her to carry it. That experience changed how she approached her life and her faith.
What’s on Your Plate?
What about you? What’s on your plate right now?
Maybe it’s raising kids, running a business, or trying to meet everyone’s needs. Maybe it’s the unspoken pressure to do it all, to fix it all, or to be everything for everyone.
For so many of us, the plate feels like it’s overflowing—no matter how much we take off, more just keeps getting added.
But here’s the truth: much of what’s on our plate wasn’t placed there by God. It’s often the result of fear, people-pleasing, or trying to live up to impossible expectations.
Have you ever stopped to ask God: “What on this plate is mine to carry, and what should I let go?”
Driven vs. Called
To be driven is to let fear, anxiety, and striving dictate our actions. It’s the frantic voice saying, “If you don’t hurry, you’ll fall behind.”
But to be called is entirely different. God’s call doesn’t demand or rush—it invites. His call brings peace, not pressure. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
When we’re driven, we move at the pace of panic. But when we’re called, we move at the pace of grace.
Impatience Is Fear
When we rush, what are we really afraid of?
For many of us, impatience is rooted in fear—the fear that our needs won’t be met, that we’ll lose control, or that we’re falling behind.
But rushing is a symptom of forgetting that God is our provider. “The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.” (Psalm 23:1)
When we trust Him, we can release the frantic need to solve everything ourselves.
Rushing doesn’t bring us closer to God’s promises. Rest does.
Choosing the Better Thing
The story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42 illustrates this beautifully. Martha was busy, distracted, and overwhelmed by the tasks of serving. But Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet.
When Martha complained, Jesus gently corrected her:
"You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
We live in a Martha world, constantly rushing, worrying, and striving. But Jesus calls us to be like Mary, choosing presence over productivity.
Breaking Up with Rushing
What would it look like to break up with rushing?
It doesn’t mean abandoning your responsibilities. It means surrendering the pressure to do everything on your own. It means trusting God to guide your steps and moving at His pace instead of the world’s.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
Rushing is rooted in fear; resting is rooted in trust.
The pause is holy. When we slow down, we make space for God’s presence.
God’s timing is perfect. When we let go of control, we align with His rhythm.
An Invitation to Rest
What would it look like to release what wasn’t meant for you to carry? To slow down and trust God with your plate?
Rest is not lazy. Rest is holy. It’s where we meet God.
Let’s make space for His presence together. Slow down, breathe deeply, and move at the pace of grace.
P.S. If you’re ready for a slower life that leads to greater health, clarity, and fulfillment, consider HolyFlow—a space to reconnect with God’s rhythm of grace, click here to explore the HolyFlow Lifestyle.
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