Happy to be linking-up with my Wednesday gals today…Meredith, Holley, Beth and Jennifer.
Be sure to read Beth’s link-up announcement and giveaway today.
According to wikipedia an emergency escape ramp
- enables vehicles that are having braking problems to stop.
- allows a vehicle’s momentum to be dissipated in a controlled and relatively harmless way.
- helps the driver to stop safely amidst a potentially dangerous situation.
As you know, I took a break from blogging and social media for a few weeks. It served as a timely emergency escape ramp for this #TightlyWoundWoman. I was rushing through the hills in a reckless way by pushing the speed limit. If I kept up my current pace I most likely would have caused a crash.
My brakes were not faulty, but I was choosing not to use them effectively, because I was excited about where I was going. I was whizzing past the countryside in an effort to make great time, but those in the vehicle stopped having a great time somewhere along the way; they were car sick.
As a born driver, I push the limits and have trouble knowing when to administer the brakes.
As a creative person I often work until something is done, even when it’s long past quitting time.
I was headed for disaster because my creative endeavors had steadily become more important than those in the car. It scared me, but I couldn’t stop on my own. Sure, I adjusted my speed for awhile, but I quickly let it creep back up to a reckless pace.
So I took a break.
As I took an emergency exit my senses were heightened. I realized that my tunnel-vision had distracted me from blind spots and I was at risk of becoming someone who is careless with precious cargo.
Sometimes we (and those riding in the vehicle with us) are the only ones that know the dire situation that we are in. The brakes are not working and we need to get off the racing road quickly before we crash. Maybe I am being a bit dramatic (who me?!) but I believe that when we deviate from the pace that God has set for us we are on a road headed for disaster.
I was trying to keep up with them (you know those big-time bloggers who speak to the masses). Thankfully, I found out their secret (thank you for sharing this freeing message Lisa-Jo)! I was also reminded by a dear friend that we need to be faithful to be what He has asked us to be and do what He has asked us to do. We should get wise counsel from others, but at the end of the day we need to faithfully follow His lead for us specifically.
He might say…
Stop
Slow down
Yield
Take a detour or alternative route
Keep going
Go faster
God can see what’s down the road and He knows what’s around the bend. From His perspective He can see the whole map (with all the current construction sites, potential hazards and breathtaking scenic overlooks too). He knows the most effective route for you to take and provides speed limit signs, boundary lines and rest areas along the way- for your good.
Emergency escape ramps are “
usually located on steep, sustained grades, as in mountainous areas. Long descending grades allow high vehicle speeds to be reached and brakes can overheat and fail through extensive use. The ramps are often built before a critical change in the curvature of the road, or before a place that may require the vehicle to stop, such as before an intersection.” So we arrive at the intersection…will we fall apart because we are going too fast or will we allow Him to set the pace so that we arrive in one piece, able to keep going for the long haul?Will you break fast or brake fast?
A great way to adjust your pace, is to fast…not to go too fast, but to actually fast and take a break from your typical routine. Fasts can help us see more clearly as we seek the Lord for counsel. They are also used to intercede on behalf of others and curb our appetites so that we hunger for more of Jesus.
My friends are doing just that during the month of November. It’s called the #curecancerfast. Read all about it here and feast on the daily devotions here. Below is a video that explains why they are doing this fast and you can also read about it in-depth here.
Will you join us?
I love the analogy and the challenge–it’s hard, sometimes, to slow down and check the road signs, isn’t it? It reminds me of the warning to ‘lean not unto thine own understanding’. Thank you for the reminder!
It’s hard to take it slow when everything seems to be moving at fast pace around us. We must try though, as it is how life should be taken. With caution, with care, and cherishing every moment of it. 🙂