When I was taking piano lessons, I had a metronome to help me practice at the right tempo. A metronome is a timing device for musicians. It can be set for a particular tempo, and it keeps that tempo in a steady fashion. The tempo of the metronome is set based on instructions of either the composer or the teacher. I hated practicing with the metronome! I found the beat relentless, never allowing me to pause for missed notes or questioning fingers. Perhaps my youthful fight against the regular tempo of the metronome is parallel to my willful spirit wanting to set my own tempo, rather than molding my tempo to God’s rhythm in my life.
As you plan the pace of your life, keep the metronome in mind. There may be days when you intentionally shift the metronome to a slower pace, because that is reality of where you are as a mom and a leader on that day. Other times will be played at a quick tempo. As we grow as leaders, we are more able to discern God’s pace and timing in our lives, and our own synchronization or lack thereof with his pace.
Check Your Tempo
- In what parts of your life do you need to do fewer things so you can get the tempo right?
- What tasks or activities can you do more quickly, to allow slow time for more important things?
- Where do you need to slow your tempo to match the pace God has for your days?
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
A great person always considers the timing before she acts (Chinese proverb).
Written by Carla Foote
