The Tempo of Life
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“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever, the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it does not see him or know him. But you know him, because he lives with you and he will be in you.” John 14:16-17
I enjoy listening to music. I grew up with music being played in the house by my mom. She played a stack of records (now called vinyl) on the stereo throughout the day. My parents enjoyed Gospel sings and Quartet music, and we traveled around the area to Churches to listen to a variety of Gospel groups. My parents usually purchased a record, and it was played for weeks and then included in the stack.
I listen to the words of songs as well as the music and the beat. Sometimes a group will slow down a familiar song to a tempo that just makes the song drag, and it takes away the enjoyment of the song for me. The song loses its meaning because the tempo is no longer the familiar version as I learned it. It is just like when someone singing our National Anthem improvises and changes the familiar arrangement. That bothers me. Each song has an original tempo and beat created by the composer and author.
Tempo in music is the speed at which a piece of music was written and created to be played. Tempo can also be applied to our daily lives, too. The tempo of life means the pace or speed life was created to be lived. It is the cadence or rhythm of life.
So who sets the tempo of life for you? I have heard people say life feels like a rollercoaster ride or a merry-go-round. Some state life feels like it is going so fast that they cannot keep up. They need it to slow down. Some are filled with fear and step out of living life and just exist and quit listening to any tempo. Others are just on the go all the time and feel exhausted. The tempo of their lives goes faster than their energy. Does any of these examples describe where you currently are in life?
You may allow society, schedules, work, the pressure, and expectations of others to set your tempo and pace for life. And right now, you feel exhausted because of it. May I suggest we slow down for a moment and take a breath and check our focus. Who is leading the tempo of your life? Where is God’s Spirit? I believe God has created a tempo for how life should be lived.
My own life has felt out of tempo recently, and I am trying to adjust it. It feels like the familiar song of my life needs to change the speed. As we change seasons of life because of loss, change, age, or location, we need to re-evaluate how we spend our time and energy. I am praying and asking God – “How do you want me to glorify you?” “How should I spend my time?” I have always been very active, creative, and involved in the lives of others. I am always thinking about creating the next seminar, the next talk, write the next book, devotion, or blog, and who needs a visit or card? The tempo of the music of my soul has always been upbeat and energized with purpose and productivity. Do I need to keep up this pace?
Grief changed my inner tempo, but I tried to keep the outward expression on an active rhythm. Now, I am pondering if that really is necessary and fulfilling? As I sit writing this blog, the sun is shining, the sky is blue, a slight breeze is blowing through my open windows, the birds are singing their God-given melody, and the sound of traffic is whizzing by in the distance though I cannot see it. The traffic reminds me of the constant pace of life and trying to accomplish what I think the world expects of me. The sights and sounds of nature remind me of the peaceful, gentleness of God’s pace of life. Just to sit in the tempo and rhythm of what God created reminds me of what God desires. God wants me to live the tempo of a God-breathed life. What a peace that brings and a quietness to my soul.
The world demands, expects, requires, and is fast and loud and pulls the life out of us to the point of exhaustion, fear, and anxiety. God whispers, woos, loves, and breathes life into us. So who or what determines the tempo of your life? Why is it so hard to choose God’s tempo?
I am understanding more and more that the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of God – which is within me desires to set the tempo and rhythm of my life if I will surrender and release the control to His indwelling Spirit. When I breathe in the Spirit and release my control and the control of the world, the calmness of the Spirit fills me, slows me down, and allows me to rest in God’s Presence. When I do, the tempo of life is determined by God not the pressures and expectations of this world. I relax and take in God’s beauty and presence. I begin to experience the joy of living in God’s presence and enjoying what is in front of me. I release anxiety and worry that I am not doing enough and trust the Holy Spirit to lead and direct my path of life.
Breathe in the Holy Spirit right now. Follow God’s tempo for your life. You will be amazed and grateful for the peace and calmness of your spirit.
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