In late September, Ross and I arrived at the Michigan camp that I had visited many times in years past with some my best guy friends for a long weekend to gain more reflection on life. It is a great weekend to share challenges in life with other men who help to provide counsel to each other utilizing a spiritual foundation. We had some great times playing golf and relaxing around the fire at night to just enjoying each other’s company.
2018 Men’s Retreat (Rick is the guy in the top right)
During a conversation I had with one of my life mentors, Rick, he shared with me some challenging words that he had heard at a conference earlier this year. He told me about how we, as people, go through life so quickly and how much of life we miss because we live this way. The biggest opportunity that we miss is the impact that we could have in people’s lives if we would just slow down. He stated that one of the speakers, John Maxwell, shared that we need to do a better job of “walking slowly through the crowd”.
Walking slowly through the crowd…wow…that impacted me. I reflected how I act when I am in a crowd. I usually try to move quickly unless I see someone I know. Why do I do that? I guess it may be due to the awkwardness that I don’t want to feel or maybe it is just because on that day I didn’t feel confident in myself due to something in my work or personal life that has impacted my self-conscience.
Regardless of that, as I reflect, I asked myself how many times am I missing opportunities to have an impact on the people that God directs me to. How selfish is that act of moving FAST through the crowd. I mean, I only have one short life to live. How can I have an impact; a life goal of mine, if I am running through the crowd. How many times am I just wanting to get home and not interact with people. Is that wrong? Maybe not depending on many outside influences, but if my goal is to have positive impact in those lives that God directs me to, then maybe it is. Maybe I need to SLOW DOWN and be intentional in those crowds.
I want you to know that I have been more intentional in the last few months and it has been amazing. I knew of one of our amazing guys at work that has some grand kids who have fallen on some hard times and this guy didn’t think twice about just taking them in while he, himself, is having health issues. I saw him this past week, thought about slowing down and just stopped what I was doing. I asked him about the situation, encouraged him, let him know how much his actions encouraged me and that I was praying for him. This is the amazing part…he literally broke out in tears, turned around toward me and gave me a big hug. I know I had an impact on him and what an impact that had on me…still.
My challenge to you this week is to do just that; SLOW DOWN…intentionally. Make an effort to be more aware of your surroundings and those people that are near you; in your home, at the grocery store, at work or at the game. Reach out and meet new people, help those in physical need, speak wisdom to those in spiritual need; just share your love and positive influence with them. You will be amazed at the impact you will make on them as well as yourself. I would love to hear about your experience. Please leave a comment if you think about it.
