Life is accelerating. Normally, I look for change. I find it is a key if anything is going to improve. As I listened to a question yesterday, I find myself reflecting on the magnitude and speed at which we are trying to move. Across the organization, I can see symptoms of fatigue. They include people in hospital with stress induced problems and illnesses. Others are mentally checking out, cutting back on their hours. Many are now willing to accept mediocre performance instead of excellence. Perhaps we have gone too far, too fast.
I am a fan of moving quickly. I find that it is easier to close out deals and confront challenges when you are aware. Waiting always seems to make things more difficult. Pushing harder, seizing the moment at hand opens up an opportunity for fast moving change.
Yet, there is a “but” to approach. Being intentional in one’s timing improve the way we relate with the other. I think of an old model, the time when “King Agrippa and his wife, Bernice, visited Caesarea to welcome Festus to his new post. After several days, Festus brought up Paul’s case to the king.” (Acts 25.13) Agrippa could have easily rushed. It is easy to imagine that the opportunities were there. Yet, he waited.
Life invites us to more. I can see opportunities to make a difference. Individuals are dealing with the unknown. Injustice prevails within our reach. People are struggling to respond to what life is pushing their way. Pain is a constant reality.
We could work 24×7, burning out quickly, but is it what we are called to do. A few weeks ago, I walked past a man slumped in tears on the sidewalk. It was outside a office building near where I work. I smile compassionately towards him, pausing, not knowing what if anything I should do. Yesterday, I passed the man outside the same building, hearing a cheery hello in Mandarin coming my way.
We are called to live. We are called to make a difference. Our response has no predetermined script.
