Flanders Baptist and Community Church

Sermon - Slow Down

Scripture Lesson: Matthew 11:25-30 

Sermon: “Slow Down” 

Introduction 

Today, I want to continue the conversation we started last week. 

You may remember that I urged you to enjoy your journey on this earth. 

Today, I will be speaking on the wisdom of slowing down. 

A. Today’s definition of progress and success 

Friends, every society seems to have a conventional way of defining success. 

In this country, the mantra is we can go as far as we want. 

There are no limits to our possibilities. 

As they used to say it when I was a banker, it’s a number’s game. 

If we get busy, put on the hours or take proper actions, 

We will be as successful as we want to be. 

We have been told to always move forward. 

Don’t stop. If we do, we lose. 

We have to be fast; seize opportunities. 

If we do, we win. 

This may be the reason the average vacation time in this country is about 10 days, 

As opposed to 25-30 days in some other countries (www.businessinsider.com). 

B. Addiction to speed 

Friends, we have an addiction to speed. 

As Dr. Stephanie Brown says, 

“Progress equals fast, which equals success.” 

If we want something, we want it now. 

Today’s adults brag about working 70 hours a week. 

However, a number of them have to take an Ambien to be able to sleep. 

Elementary school children, middle school and high school kids have so much 

To do that they are victims of stress, anxiety, and learning issues. 

In our college campuses, mental health facilities receive so many calls 

From struggling students that they don’t have the proper resources to handle them. 

Folks, let’s face it. 

We are very busy people. 

And, when we are not “up to speed,” 

We always feel that we’re missing something. 

We feel guilty for not doing enough. 

In a recent survey, more than 50% of respondents 

Admitted to passing through red lights partly because they were very busy. 

By the way, I am sure this never happened to any of us here. 

No one here has ever passed through a red light. Right? 

Some people are looking down now!!! 

Anyway, we’re extremely busy. 

Our young people have a lot to do. 

You have to go to school. 

You are told you need good grades to be successful. 

Your teachers express their love for you by giving you unwanted assignments. 

You also have after-school programs, music or dance classes, martial arts, 

Quality time with your homies. 

In addition, you have to look fly on Instagram or other social media 

By putting your best videos and pictures there. 

And, adults are busy even after a long day at work. 

We have to take care of our kids or a sick parent. 

We have to cook, do the laundry and clean. 

Some of us even bring some work to our home. 

We all have so much to do we have the impression that we cannot finish anything. 

We are all forced to live in the fast lane. 

We have to quickly go from one thing to another with no end in sight. 

So, we are either racing toward fame, money, success 

Or running away from things we don’t like and things we cannot handle properly. 

As a result, we become addicted to speed. 

And, addiction to speed often leads to other forms of addiction. 

We eat too much. 

We smoke too much. 

We drink too much. 

We party too much. 

We spend too much. 

We have too many unhealthy relationships. 

We spend too much time on social media or playing video games. 

And, of course all of this brings to mind 

The current national opioid addiction crisis. 

In fact, numbers from the CDC suggest that, in 2022, 

More than 110 thousand people died of drug overdose. 

The spread of illicit fentanyl has been one of the main drivers behind those deaths. 

So, because of the way our postmodern society is structured, 

Because we have to do so many things to survive and thrive, 

Almost all of us are speeding on the highways of life. 

We have the equivalent of a PhD in impatience. 

I cannot count how many times I’ve seen some drivers rush to pass 

Other fellow drivers just to wait for them at the next traffic lights. 

Here is the main objective of my reflection today: 

I am here to give you, to give us a speeding ticket. 

And, I am not doing it because I don’t like you. 

This reminds me of the story of a police officer who 

Gave a speeding ticket to a gentleman. 

The officer told him: Sir, I’m giving you this ticket because I want to help you. 

I don’t want you to endanger your life or someone else’s.” 

And, that man responded: “Officer, I wish you were less helpful today. 

Your willingness to help just cost me $250.” 

I am a nerd, so I love nerdy jokes. 

C. Slow down 

So, this is my message for you today: Slow down. 

Slow down: this allows us to stop and admire the true beauty of life. 

A clear sky in wintertime or a snow storm in November. 

Slow down: if you don’t you will be shooting without aiming. 

You’re just going with the flow. 

You lose control over your destiny. 

But, if you do, you allow yourself to step back, and reset your priorities. 

By doing this, you will know how to spend your time more effectively. 

Slow down: If you don’t, you are missing out 

Quality time with the people who love you. 

If you do, you will set aside valuable time for them. 

Success often comes from our ability to have strong and meaningful relationships. 

Slow down: If you don’t, we will glance over suffering around you, 

And move on with your life. 

But if you do, you may be the person who finds a cure for cancer. 

If you slow down, you will learn the importance of fighting 

On behalf of the poor and the marginalized. 

Slow down: If you don’t, you will only focus on instant gratification. 

But, if you do, you will learn to value patience and long-term commitment. 

Slow down. By doing it, you will learn to love and work for the interest 

Of all people unconditionally, regardless of their social location. 

Slowing down does not mean you give up on your dreams. 

It does not mean that you stop working hard. 

It is not an invitation to become a professional procrastinator. 

It means that you begin to work smarter and more effectively. 

It means you’re putting yourself 

In the best position to help yourself and the larger community. 

I know the question some of you are asking now is: 

Why is the pastor speaking so fast while he’s asking us to slow down? 

So, let me say it again: SLOW DOWN. 

Turn your phone off once in a while. 

While you’re at it, turn off your computer, your tablet, 

And your high-tech watch as well. 

Include self-care in your daily planner. 

Reflect on your life, on what you should be doing to be a better person. 

Take “minutes or seconds vacation” to reassess your contribution to society. 

Take a walk: see, ear, taste, smell, and touch your environment. 

The very purpose of our life may be found in our ability 

To see the beauty and the suffering around us. 

Life coach and author Patty de Llosa who just turned 90 years old says 

Whenever we feel that we have to keep pressing on our life’s gas pedal 

To survive and thrive, we have to say to ourselves: “I have time.” 

Gandhi says: “There is more to life than increasing its speed.” 

So, friends, instead of always going with the flow, 

We sometimes must learn to go with the slow. 

Let’s face it, folks, at times we move fast 

Because we are unsatisfied with our present, and anxious about our future. 

If this is our case, please listen to the question that Jesus has for us: 

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 

The same Jesus offers the best answer to this question in Mat. 11:28 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” 

So, friends, slowing down is an act of faith. 

It means that we take a step back to create enough space for Jesus 

To lead our lives and determine our pace. 

We are living in an age of quick fixes. 

People want to get stuff at their fingertips or at their front door immediately. 

But oftentimes, the faster we move, the more miserable we get. 

Many folks are mentally and physically tired because of…life. 

In our passage, Jesus basically says: 

“I am the solution to all your problems. I know you have been looking for 

Joy, love and peace. But you cannot get what you want without me. 

Trust me and you will be fine.” 

Church, there is no doubt that the idea of slowing down is found in the bible. 

According to a translation called The Message, here is what Jeremiah 2 v. 25 says: 

“Slow down. Take a deep breath. What’s the hurry? 

Why wear yourself out? Just what are you after anyway?” 

In other words, don’t rush; relax; Jesus has your back. 

About two years ago, I remember I was at home when 

My oldest daughter, who was 4 at that time, approached me. 

She had one of those mildly mischievous looks. 

She put one of little arms around my neck, touched my head 

With her other hand, and proudly said: “My boy.” 

I did not expect that! 

This is the image I will leave with this morning: 

Jesus, approaching you, addressing you with his with his reassuring voice: 

“My daughter, my son, don’t worry, relax, you will be fine. 

I will be with you always. I got your back. Just slow down.” 

I hope you received God’s message this morning, church. 

May God bless you and your family, church! Slow Down and Be Well! Amen.