24. Slow is Steady, Steady is Smooth, and Smooth is Fast

Slow is Steady, Steady is Smooth, and Smooth is Fast

Have you ever been compared to a Navy SEAL? Yeah, me neither, but this saying from that world has always resonated with me; Slow is Steady, Steady is Smooth, and Smooth is Fast. Hurry is hard, stressful, and doesn’t usually contribute to a peaceful heart. Hurry causes us to miss the good stuff.

Slow is Steady: Slow seems to take some planning, i.e. picking out clothes the night before, putting something in the crockpot for dinner, getting up on time, getting gas before its critical, etc. Slow leaves time for the things we really want in life; time to exercise and pray in the morning, time around the table with the family in the evening, time to think, pray, visit, cook, talk, and love.  Daily life built around slow becomes a steady and stable foundation to build life.

Steady is Smooth: Steady probably isn’t the first word we would have wanted to be used to describe us when we were teenagers. But now? What a compliment. Steady is trustworthy, constant, and present. Steady is a life aspiration. Steady gives our loved ones something to lean into, count on, and trust. Steady gives a smoothness to life that is tangible and real.  A smooth life isn’t promised, but the habits we build with steady make it as smooth as possible in the daily living.

Smooth is Fast: I know the Navy SEALS intended this entire saying to be applied to things like assembling a weapon or taking down a target, but we can apply it to our work, life, and living. Smooth is fast lets us invest time instead of just spending it.  Smooth is fast lets us get to the living, savoring, and loving. Smooth is fast allows us to do our work well and keep life’s priorities in order. Time is hard for us to perceive sometimes. It flies or drags and can’t be stopped or reversed. Thankfully, God is beyond time. He never has to hurry or rush and always wants us to come to Him. He gave us the gifts of Slow, Steady, and Smooth to enjoy His blessings and to be the ultimate example of managing the time we have been given.

2 Peter 3:8-9  But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.