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Christian Worldview Journal

Slow Down
Slow Down - The Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview
By BettyJane Gagnon|Published Date: January 04, 2010


Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
Psalm 46:10

“Smile, you’re on Candid Camera!” We remember that humorous announcement, from the 1960’s – a bit of a reality television-series that got people laughing. Folks would be caught on camera reacting to a staged dilemma, and when everyone realized it was all in good fun, we all had a laugh.
Today we have hidden cameras as well, but these are in place not as a joke. They hang above intersections and snap pictures of your vehicle if you proceed through them too quickly.

Unlike the resulting laughs from a Candid camera stunt on film, getting a “caught on camera” announcement from your local DMV is not as much fun. I received one such photo a few years ago. The Department of Motor Vehicles return address on a piece of mail got me curious. “What is this?” I thought. When I realized it was a picture of the back of our van, I immediately wondered, “When was my husband driving my van?” Turns out the time and place where my yellow light race occurred put me in the driver’s seat! Haste makes waste is a good way to describe my costly mistake.

We also know that a benign “Heavenly Camera” is trained on us at all times, reminding us, as believers, to heed the “caution lights” of our daily lives. Are we convicted to slow down the pace of things a bit? Do we tend to blame others for our carelessness? Do we look both ways (upwards and inwardly) before we proceed – whether it is a major decision or simply the day’s events? Are we dwelling a little too long on that temptation we’re facing?

We serve a God who sees all our moves and needs, and Who knows how fast we should be advancing. Are we thinking of the kingdom when we race through our daily agendas? The “camera” may seem like a threatening “big brother,” but its presence is there for safety reasons. Read all of Psalm 46. He is our refuge and strength – a very present help (v.1).

The DMV cameras bring in revenue for the local community. Our Heavenly Watcher intends the same for us. Our investment of time studying the Law of God pays off in peace and joy for everyone. The dwelling place of the Most High God is our surety and security. I need to pause there more often when He calls me to a season of reflection or prayer.

As I think through my DMV conviction, and the pain of its effect on my family’s budget that month, I am moved to be still and remember my Heavenly Watcher, to know that He is God and He will be exalted in all the earth – including every intersection of my life.



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8 Comments

  1. Brenda makes this comment

    2010-01-11 18:42:56

    Thanks first for the article. Well done. Then thanks Allan for your comments. Well done, again.

  2. Henry Deaton makes this comment

    2010-01-09 08:31:13

    Like Joe, I am retired now. For years, I struggled to make time to read, study, and pray as I wanted to. Sometimes, I even made excusses for my mistakes, saying I was too rushed. Truth being, I did not wait on God; failed to look upwards, and inwardly. When I made time for God, He seems to increase my time. Now with my sittuation changed,I must be careful, not to push too hard, those that are still working full-time, struggle for the time they really want to spend with God. But like our financial giving, He increases our time when we give Him time.

  3. vikingmother makes this comment

    2010-01-08 09:54:01

    Two comments regarding "cameras everywhere"...... Thanks for the article. The analogy of physical cameras catching that action of ours...that we didn't think we did...but we did - is a great analogy of GOD who sees all our actions & inner thoughts... Secondly, though I do not always trust the local government to handle this information well...I do trust GOD to handle His complete knowledge of all our thoughts, deeds...well...

  4. Robert Kachadourian makes this comment

    2010-01-08 09:27:27

    The examples of the looking upward and inward are excellent writing. The use of the term intersection describing other points of our lives was also well done. The bottom line in this all is that one must be as introspective as possible. This self examination periodically, while we are still and know that He is God, will give us an opportunity to be near Him

  5. Alan Denekas makes this comment

    2010-01-08 06:00:09

    Jesus was never in a hurry, but was never late. God's timing is a fascinating subject! Isaac didn't arrive until 25 yrs after God's foretelling of his coming. Joseph didn't become vice-Pharaoh until he had been in slavery, then in prison while in slavery. David didn't inherit the throne until he had run for his life for a decade. Jesus said to his mother, "My time has not yet come". He was tempted by Satan to take short-cuts, but He put everything back into His Father's hands. Jesus frequently evaded arrest, such as when He initially announced that He was the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies, because it wasn't His time. Then, when His time did come, He easily allowed Himself to be taken captive to accomplish our redemption. His timing is mysterious, often aggravatingly slow, when we are in dire need. But, retrospectively, He is never late. After all, His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. Blessings, AD

  6. rick mireles makes this comment

    2010-01-08 03:41:26

    this is a powerful article to look upward & inward before we act think respond proceed is what we need to slow down and take the time to do. it is not accomplised if we are in a rush all the time in this fast passed time we live in.

  7. Joe Dalfonzo makes this comment

    2010-01-07 07:11:54

    Well said! I especially like the admonition to "look both ways (upwards and inwardly)" before we proceed. How many times have we observed a headline and asked ourselves - what was he thinking? knowing full well the answer even before the question is formed. Have a blessed and a joyous New Year full of His very present help.

  8. Joseph Dunst makes this comment

    2010-01-04 16:43:30

    I agree with this commentery because everyone appears to be in a rush in these times. I've seen many accidents because of this factor throughout my lifetime...and I'm wondering "when will it end?" Secondly, I'm glad that I'm retired and do not worry about superiors looking over my shoulder about my qualifications and working at high speeds. Happy New Year for 2010. Agape, Joe Dunst.