“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as sure as haste leads to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5)
“Slow and steady wins the race.” (Aesop)
“Hold on, hold on, hold on!” (Jeff Gibson)
On your mark, get set, go! Every Friday, I set. My timer and write as fast as my fingers and brain allow. I race the seconds and hope for something good to come about from this short and simple exercise. Sometimes it works!
Once, I read that Ray Bradbury wrote Fahrenheit 451 in a library basement with a pay-per-minute typewriter. He used the pressure of time to keep a feeling of suspense in his futuristic tale. It sure worked well for Ray!
Sometimes my students and I play a game. For one minute we write a part of a story and pass it to our left. Without seeing the whole tale, we quickly add on. The result is often silliness that makes me tear up with laughter!
Sometimes, it seems, a quick write can accomplish something of value. With the stopwatch as our guard, we are forced to pay full attention to the task at hand. What can you do with a quick five minutes? Maybe something worthwhile!
Challenges feel like fun!
—Time is up!—
Most things of value are not quickly done. When writing a book, there are stages and struggles to overcome. If I wrote for five minutes a day, it might take a lifetime to finish a book. Would it be worth reading?
Loving others is also a slow, thoughtful activity. Placing time limits does not work well with people. God challenges us to stick out the struggles. Love is patient and suffers long. It is not a sprint; it is more of a marathon. Each minute we practice faithful care. Love always perseveres!
There is a purpose for each sort of race. Run them with all of your strength. When we reach the finish line, let’s cheer on our friends with pure joy. Interestingly, I set a stopwatch. My slow write took five minutes as well. Let me consider my pace.
Thank You, Father God, for challenges and sprints.
Thank You, Jesus, for Your patience with us, Your children.
Thank You, Holy Spirit, for teaching us to pace ourselves and keep in step with You!
I am grateful.
