Invitation to a New Life

by Alyssa Chea

We all have our own definition of “busy.” I’m a wife, and mom of a six-year-old boy, working part-time from home, and just started homeschooling my son Kannon this year. He is with me all the time, so he is always there for the errands, the clients, the grocery shopping, and in tow with me hurrying to make it on time for appointments. A few months ago, I planned a day for the two of us to have a laid-back, relaxing day. I told him we could do whatever we wanted for the day. His first pick was to go get donuts for breakfast. I said that we could absolutely do so, but I knew we had nothing else on our schedule for the day and felt no need to rush out the door. But because Kannon was so used to being in a constant state of “hurry,” as we were walking out the door to get in the car, he exclaimed, “Mom! We’ve got to hurry! We’re going to be late!” No doubt he’s heard me say that to him with a stressed tone a few times before. I explained to him that we weren’t late for anything. We had plenty of time to relax and prioritize each other for the day.

Jesus invites us to live according to his pace. Our lead pastor at Christ’s Church, Brad Wilson, has been talking about that the past four weeks. If you missed Brad’s teaching last Sunday, you can check it out here. What if Jesus is trying to tell you that you’re not late for anything? You don’t need to rush through life, chasing what the world is pressuring you to achieve. You’re created for connection with him, and he is inviting you to a new way of life. A life free from hurry. A life lived at his pace.

What does Jesus have for you now that you are missing out on, because you are hurrying to keep up with the world? The invitation to slow down is an invitation to connect with him. We miss out on opportunities to connect with Jesus when we set our sights so far in the future, seeking worldly success and hurrying through life in the pursuit of worldly achievements. Stop allowing the world to distract your sights from what Jesus has for you now, and accept the invitation from Jesus to live at his pace.

The Belt of Truth

Why do we feel the need to run ourselves into the ground, trying to meet the standards of what the world defines as success? We feel as though we can’t go fast enough because we are living in a world that has a hurried pace, that promotes a “not enough” narrative, and that only measures success with tangible possessions. We can either succumb to the pressures of the world, or we can tune our hearts and fix our eyes on the Lord. We can slow down and be present in the place where he has placed us. We can find connection with him as he reveals himself to us in our current conditions. We can build up heavenly treasures as we lean into his plan and his pace.

The apostle Paul reminds us, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV).

When we realize there is way more in the future for us, and that what we are experiencing now is only temporary, we will find it much easier to move in God’s will at the pace he intended for us. And that should help us be prepared to find a healthier daily rhythm. I’d like to share a perspective on the armor of God from the book of Ephesians. When I think about putting on the armor of God, I sometimes think it is only necessary when preparing for a heavy battle. You know, one of those big life events that leaves you pondering, “Why me?” and leaving nothing but questions and doubt swirling in your head. But I like to view Ephesians 6:14 as instruction for everyday living—no matter the circumstance or battle we might be facing. That Bible verse reads, “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth” (emphasis mine, KJV).

The reference to “girding your loins” comes from a type of clothing worn in ancient times. They were to restrict the flowing movements of the longer-hanging garments by tucking them into their belt, which Paul identifies here as the belt of truth. When doing a study on the armor of God, it was revealed to me that these hanging garments represent the struggles of life—temptation, our fears, our doubts, our weaknesses, and our desires. If I restrict the movement of these things by girding them or securing them under the belt of truth, I will walk more freely in alignment with God’s will for me. We can find freedom in this corrupt world by putting all our feelings and actions under the safe restriction of God’s truth.

The smaller attacks from the enemy that we experience day in and day out can drive us into a state of hurriedness. There is temptation for comparison all around us. This is why we must put on our armor every single day. We live in a competitive culture that not only tells us we aren’t good enough, it tells us that we never will be. Our culture is consistently raising the bar while simultaneously throwing out shots to knock us back further. The good news is that Jesus gives us the belt of truth to “gird our loins” through his perfect, consistent, merciful truth.

The Pace of Jesus

The armor of God allows you to stand firm and be protected in the very place in which you currently find yourself. Putting on the armor of God should allow you to embrace the calling God has for you now. It helps you to focus on the kingdom of God and eternity, rather than on the world that surrounds you. It enables you to claim the victory that Jesus made possible. You can fight against the hurriedness that the world has normalized and encouraged.

Walking in Jesus’ truth, and accepting his invitation to a new way of life, may at first feel like too much of a sacrifice. It can be hard to give up our goals and dreams that we have for ourselves here on earth for a heavenly reward that we don’t see yet. But have faith: The peace and freedom you will receive from Jesus amid this rush-paced world will open opportunity to connect with Jesus and opportunity to live a new life.

I think the most encouraging thing about living a new life according to the pace of Jesus is that this new life isn’t new at all for him. This new life to us is the old way of life to God. The hurried life is a result of sin in this world. We can embrace the “new to us” life by aligning our actions with God’s truth.

My son Kannon opened my eyes to the “hurry sickness” that I’ve allowed myself to model for him. I’m so thankful that the Lord used my son to remind me to slow down and align my pace to the pace of Jesus. I’m asking the Lord now to help me use Jesus as my model for how I live, and allow my life to be a positive example for Kannon, so that he doesn’t fall under the influence of the world’s hurried pace! What about you? Would you accept his invitation for a life lived, not at your hectic pace, but his? He’s waiting for your response.

Alyssa Chea and her husband have been married for nine years, and they have a six-year-old son. Alyssa loves cooking, coffee, and all things Disney! She has a passion for running and fitness and wants to use that to help build God’s kingdom on Earth.