Syncing with the Pace of God
Do you ever feel like you're running on a hamster wheel, moving a million miles a minute, responding to every urgent demand, but not really getting anywhere? We often find ourselves keeping pace with the culture, hustling as fast as everyone else, pouring out an exhausting amount of energy just to get by and make a living. But is this really how we are meant to live?
Every time I find myself in these moments—rushed, with back-to-back events and tasks—I pause and ask God, What do you want? Where do you want me to go? What do you want me to do? I think back to the book of Genesis, where Adam and Eve enjoyed the fruits of God's labor in the Garden of Eden. They had everything they needed; it was good, it was enough. They experienced the fullness of creation, lived in union with God, and heard His voice clearly. There was a sense of holy leisure—they were free to rest and delight in God's gifts. This is what God intended for us from the very beginning.
Today, however, many of us are toiling away, often becoming slaves to our work, whether in our professional lives or within our vocation, just to survive. But how can we return to that holy rest and leisure? How can we reclaim the peace that God desires for us?
It’s a good reminder to be intentional about how we spend our energy. Some things seem to drain us more than they should, to the point where we need rest even before we begin and again right after we finish. In our household, we've been practicing keeping the Sabbath holy by limiting screen time, taking walks in the park, enjoying a date after Mass, and spending time in Bible study. It has been incredibly restorative. Yet, even after these restful activities, one small thing during the week can zap all that energy away.
Therefore, we need more than just Sundays. We need moments of rest integrated throughout our lives—before and after any kind of work. It takes intentional practice to develop a rhythm where rest becomes a routine, not an afterthought. The world demands that we keep moving quickly, but God wants us to be still and follow His pace. When we experience times of restlessness and feel rushed or pressured, it is most likely a moment when God wants us to slow down, pay closer attention to His promptings, and follow the rhythm of His heart.
Interestingly, a study conducted by UC Davis on romantic couples found that heartbeats and breathing patterns could synchronize without touching or speaking. The study discovered that a woman's heartbeat could actually synchronize with her partner's. How beautiful is that? This deep connection, designed by God Himself, made me think of our relationship with the Father—being in pace with His heartbeat, following His movement, and breathing in rhythm with His Spirit.
The Catechism tells us that the desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for (CCC 27). We are not meant to run ourselves weary; we are meant to find rest in Him, who alone can satisfy our deepest longings.
As Hebrews 12:1-2 encourages us, Let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. When we are in tune with God’s heartbeat, we find the strength to run our race—not frantically, but at the pace of His grace.
Reference: https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/lovers-hearts-beat-sync-uc-davis-study-says
question to ponder
In what areas of your life do you feel most rushed, and how can you invite God into those moments to find His pace and rest?
Coaching Testimonial:
“Roxsan is definitely a beautiful soul to walk with on my own journey to personal discovery and wholeness. Over the past several months, she has helped me identify areas in my life that require stretching, while gently challenging me to reflect on the barriers to growth and healing. Roxsan’s approach is inspiring me to communicate not only with myself but also with my family as we navigate through life together, making tough decisions and moving towards a healthier mindset and lifestyle. I’m so grateful for her work, and I know so many others will benefit because of her commitment to honor each person’s identity as a child of God.”
