Fast or Slow?

‘Chariots of Fire’ featured the athlete Liddell running in the 1924 Olympics… Liddell’s words from the film are often quoted: ‘I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.’

When the film came out, I identified with Liddell. I enjoyed running – there was pleasure in running fast. I was busy in school, at home, in church. God’s purpose for me was activity – often at speed. Fast was good!

Sometimes I’m asked by friends and family to read essays for proof-reading and advice before they’re submitted for marking. Yesterday’s was ‘Monastic Life in the Fourth Century’. I read about the spiritual disciplines of solitude and silence…

Many say that we need to slow down. With a slower pace our physical, mental and spiritual health will improve. Slow is good!

Yesterday I was chatting to Bill. He’s been diagnosed with sinus bradycardia; his heart rhythm is slower than it should be. As I understand it his heart isn’t pumping enough blood; his brain and body aren’t getting enough oxygen.

He explained the symptoms – memory problems, irritability, fatigue, confusion, difficulty concentrating… I’ve witnessed some of these. For Bill speed is bad and slowness is bad!

This confusion is reflected by the writer of Ecclesiastes:

‘The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skilful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.’

Throughout my life I’ve had to learn to pace myself. As my body and mind have changed and aged through my life it’s a lesson I’ve constantly had to re-learn. The writer of Hebrews reminds me to ‘run with patience, perseverance, endurance, the race that is set before me.’ What’s important isn’t my speed, but that I keep on running.