What Do You Linger Over?

Linger, verb: to delay, to hesitate, to be in suspense, to remain in one state.

Can you remember the last time you lingered? In this fast-paced society it's probably been a while, and it probably wasn't for very long. We tend to cram as much into every single minute as we can, as if the busier we are the happier we'll be.

Lately the word linger has been in the forefront of my mind. I feel like I've been hurrying so quickly through daily life that I've forgotten a few things.

* It's called a walk with God for a reason. No one encourages you in your sprint with the Lord. Life isn't a timed event with medals handed out at the end for how quickly you did everything on your list. Walk speaks of a leisurely pace, taking time to enjoy the path God has placed you on and growing your relationship with Him. Linger over each special moment with the Lord.

* Life may be short (compared to eternity) but each individual minute has importance. I've found myself hurrying through some moments just to get to the next one as quickly as I can. I often throw a craft project together just so I can say it's done and move on to the next one. Then the quality suffers and I'm not enjoying any of the time spent doing something I'm supposed to love! Lingering over each one ensures that I'm creating the best work I can and honoring the time God has given me.

* My loved ones are the most important time investment I have. I am possibly the worst correspondent ever. I am constantly promising myself that this will be the week I write my parents, my family, friends in other states, our church's shut-ins...but something always comes up and I put it off for another day. I've hurried so much through everything else that the people I love have been put on the back burner. I want to linger over letters, linger over phone calls and linger over e-mail, just so I can reconnect and enjoy the people I haven't kept up with.

* I have the choice of what I'll linger over. With every new minute of the day comes a new opportunity - I can either race through it like the one before or I can choose to linger over it and make the best of it that I can. That decision is entirely up to me. God gives us each minute of each day to serve Him to the best of our ability. Hurrying through them doesn't honor Him in any way, and it makes life terribly frenzied.

Just for today, choose to linger over each minute, each task and each person that crosses your path. Not only will you appreciate them more, but it will be easier to bring God the glory through your service because you're able to concentrate on Him.

Comments

  1. JennyFebruary 7, 2010 at 3:52 PM

    *sigh* I admit I'm largely lingerless. Must change that.

    ReplyDelete

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