Life moves fast. Between work meetings, soccer practices, endless notifications, and that “quick” trip to the store that somehow takes an hour, it feels like the world has us stuck on a treadmill we didn’t sign up for. And yet, in the middle of our frantic pace, Jesus invites us to something different. He invites us to slow down, to step into the unforced rhythms of grace, and to model our lives after His.
“To walk with Jesus is to walk at a slow, unhurried pace. Hurry is incompatible with love.” – John Mark Comer
The Problem with Our Pace
We live in a culture that idolizes hustle. We wear busyness like a badge of honor, as if our packed schedules somehow validate our worth. (Check out my podcast episode on ‘busyness’ here!) But here’s the truth: hustle without rest will hollow you out. It’ll leave you exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering why you feel so far from God.
Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28-30 cut through the noise: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
The soul was not made for an easy life; it was made for an easy yoke.” – Dallas Willard
Notice what He doesn’t say. He doesn’t say, “Keep going until you collapse,” or, “Prove your worth through your productivity.” He says, “Come to me. Learn from me.” Jesus offers us a different way—one built not on speed, but on rhythm.
The Rhythms of Jesus
Jesus modeled a life of intentional rhythms. He moved at a pace that allowed Him to be present with people, attentive to the Father, and available to the Spirit. Here are a few rhythms we see in His life:
- Solitude and Prayer – Mark 1:35 says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray. He prioritized time alone with the Father, even when the demands of ministry were pressing.
- Sabbath Rest – Jesus observed the Sabbath, not out of legalism, but as a rhythm of rest and worship. He reminds us in Mark 2:27, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” Rest is a gift, not a burden.
- Community – Jesus surrounded Himself with a small group of disciples. He walked with them, ate with them, and invested in their lives. We weren’t meant to do life alone.
- Service and Mission – Jesus’ life was marked by intentional service. He sought out the lost, the hurting, and the marginalized. Luke 19:10 tells us, “The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.”
Apprenticing Our Rabbi
If we’re serious about following Jesus, we need to apprentice under Him. That means modeling our lives—our rhythms—after His. Spiritual disciplines like prayer, Sabbath, fasting, and community aren’t just checkboxes for “good Christians.” They’re the rhythms that shape us into the image of Christ.
Think of them as a trellis for your soul. A trellis doesn’t make the vine grow, but it gives it the structure it needs to flourish. In the same way, spiritual rhythms give our lives the framework we need to grow in Christlikeness.
Rest is not idleness; it’s a re-centering on God’s sufficiency.” – John Piper
Practical Steps to Slow Down
- Start Small – Don’t try to overhaul your life overnight. Start with one rhythm, like setting aside five minutes each morning to pray or turning your phone off for a Sabbath evening.
- Say No to Say Yes – You can’t do everything, and that’s okay. Learn to say no to the things that drain you so you can say yes to the things that matter.
- Be Fully Present – Put down your phone. Look people in the eye. Listen more than you speak. Presence is one of the greatest gifts you can give.
- Trust God’s Timing – Slowing down isn’t just about your schedule; it’s about your soul. Trust that God’s plans for you aren’t tied to your pace.
Why It Matters
When we live in rhythm with Jesus, we reflect His heart to the world. We become less hurried and more holy, less reactive and more rooted. We show a world obsessed with busyness that there’s a better way—a way of peace, presence, and purpose.
So, what rhythm is God calling you to step into today? Is it the rhythm of rest? The rhythm of prayer? The rhythm of community? Whatever it is, take a step. Slow down. And apprentice your life to the One who walked this earth at just the right pace.
Lucas Leibforth 
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