I want to share a story and reflection with you by Kathleen O. Chesto~

"A story is told of a safari in the Serengeti.  A researcher was rushing to the mating grounds of the African elephant.  He had started late and pushed his porters relentlessly to arrive by mating season.  On the fourth day, the porters sat down and refused to move.  The translator explained they would go no farther until they had given their spirits time to catch up with them.

We live in a world where "fast" has a whole different meaning from its Lenten definition.  We are a nation in a hurry.  We drive 5 miles over the speed limit no matter what the speed limit is.  Our rushing has created a whole new disease.  Last year alone, road rage claimed over 1500 victims.

This Lent, for at least one day, try fasting from "fast-ing," the rushing that drains so much more than it accomplishes.  Try driving the speed limit and using the extra minutes on the drive to work to get in touch with God.  Instead of beeping the horn, say a prayer for the people who cut you off on the road.  Instead of getting annoyed with the slow cashier and changing lanes, try greeting that person with a gentle smile.  Fast from fast food.  Eat a good meal with family or friends, and take time to enjoy each taste and each person.  You won't lose weight, but your burdens may feel lighter.  You might even find your spirit will catch up with you!"

Consider these words from Romans ..."by the mercies of God, present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual act of worship.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.."

Perhaps this weekend and throughout the rest of the Lenten season, you can think about part of your transformation and offering as slowing down.  Let the Holy Spirit catch up with you, so you even have the holy energy to do the things Chesto suggests and that the writer of Romans exhorts, "Let love by genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast [another kind of fasting] to what is good...rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer."   Suffering and prayer have a way of teaching us to slow down. 

Want to try another discipline that will teach you to slow down?  Try poetry.  It forces you to slow down because you have to take in each word, as each one is integral to the overall meaning of the poem. 

Let us continue to slow down, continue to read what Romans has to teach us, and heck, dust off those poetry books.