Latest / HAVE FAITH LET IT BEGIN® / Finding God in a world that never stops: Ep 10 Slow Down Enough to See Jesus
Transcript
- 0:00Welcome to Have Faith, Let It Begin. This is Ariel Santana.
- 0:04Can you believe I'm seven years old already? I'm old enough now to introduce my dad.
- 0:10Ladies and gentlemen, your host, my dad, Angel Santana.
- 0:47Hello, everyone, and welcome to Have Faith, Let It Begin. This is another amazing
- 0:54milestone that we're about to hit.
- 0:56Angel Santana here. Today, we arrive at the final chapter of our 10-part devotional journey.
- 1:01Slow down, finding God in the world that never stops.
- 1:05Over the past several days, well, two weeks to be exact, we've talked about
- 1:09slowing down to notice God's miracles, choosing kindness,
- 1:14trusting God's timing, showing up for others, putting our phones down,
- 1:20seeing interruptions as opportunities, listening with intention,
- 1:25choosing peace, and loving the person right in front of us.
- 1:29Every one of those lessons has been leading us here because the greatest reason
- 1:35to slow down isn't simply to find peace.
- 1:38It's to see Jesus more clearly. So let's slow down and open God's word together
- 1:45as we conclude this chapter, this series.
- 1:48Our biblical perspective, our
- 1:50primary scripture comes from Hebrews chapter 12, verses one through two.
- 1:55Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
- 1:59let us throw off everything that hinders and let us run with perseverance.
- 2:04The race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and the perfect,
- 2:11of faith, the perfecter of faith.
- 2:14The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that
- 2:18life is a journey, but focus, our focus, isn't the finish line.
- 2:24Our focus is Jesus. Our supporting scripture comes from Luke,
- 2:28chapter 10, verses 38 through 42.
- 2:31Mary sat at the feet of Jesus. Martha stayed busy.
- 2:35Jesus didn't criticize Martha for serving. He lovingly reminded her that she
- 2:40had become distracted by many things.
- 2:43Mary chose what mattered most. She chose his presence.
- 2:47That, that's what the entire series has been about.
- 2:51Not doing less, but making sure Jesus remains first.
- 2:57Life will always be busy. We know that.
- 3:00There will always be another meeting, another notification, another responsibility, another deadline.
- 3:07If we wait for the life to slow down before we spend time with Jesus,
- 3:13we'll spend our entire lives waiting.
- 3:15Jesus isn't asking us to escape the world. He's inviting us That's right Inviting
- 3:21us to walk with him through it.
- 3:23Imagine looking back over the life Years from now Your life You probably won't
- 3:29remember every email Every appointment Every errand But you'll remember the
- 3:35moments you experienced God's presence.
- 3:37The prayers he answered, the people he used to encourage you,
- 3:42the moment, well, the quiet mornings in his word, the peace that didn't make
- 3:47sense, the grace that carried you, that's what lasts.
- 3:53Throughout the Gospels, people slowed down when they encountered Jesus.
- 3:58Blind Bartimaeus stopped shouting after Jesus called him. Zacchaeus climbed down from the tree.
- 4:05Mary sat at his feet. The disciples left their nets.
- 4:09Each one discovered that life truly begins when Jesus becomes the center.
- 4:14Perhaps today, Jesus is inviting you to do the same. Not tomorrow, not next week, today.
- 4:22Slow down, look up, and fix your eyes on him. Here's your heart check.
- 4:28Let's pause one more time together. Our last time in this series.
- 4:33What's been distracting you from Jesus?
- 4:36Have you allowed your schedule, your worries, or your ambitions to become louder than God's voice?
- 4:42If Jesus were sitting across from you right now, what would you want to tell them?
- 4:47And what might He lovingly be saying to you?
- 4:50Here's your final faith challenge. Set aside 30 uninterrupted minutes for this week.
- 4:57No phone, no television, no distractions.
- 5:01Take your Bible. Find a quiet place. Read one gospel passage slowly.
- 5:06Pray honestly. Listen quietly. Don't rush.
- 5:11Simply spend time with Jesus because that's where life is transformed.
- 5:16Today's takeaway. The greatest gift you can give yourself isn't more time.
- 5:21It's more time with Jesus.
- 5:23As we close the series, remember, Jesus was never in a hurry.
- 5:28Yet he fulfilled everything his father called him to do.
- 5:32He walked with purpose. He loved intentionally. He listened carefully.
- 5:37He stopped for people. He trusted the Father's timing.
- 5:41May we do the same. If this series has helped you slow down,
- 5:46even just a little, then my prayer is that it has helped you see Jesus more clearly.
- 5:52And that's the greatest blessing of all.
- 5:54Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for walking with us through this journey.
- 5:58Thank you for every lesson, every reminder, and every opportunity to slow down and draw closer to you.
- 6:03Help us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus in a world that consistently competes for our attention.
- 6:10Teach us to walk his pace, love his heart, and trust your perfect timing.
- 6:15May our lives reflect the peace, the grace, and compassion of Christ every day.
- 6:21And as this series comes to a close, let us not be the end of our journey,
- 6:27but the beginning of a deeper walk with you.
- 6:29We ask this in your precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
- 6:35Before we close out, thank you for being a part of Half-Faith, Let It Begin family.
- 6:39If this series has encouraged you, the best way to help us continue the ministry,
- 6:44this podcast is by subscribing, downloading each episode, leaving a review,
- 6:49sharing it with someone who could use a little more hope today.
- 6:52And don't forget to visit our Half-Faith, Let It Begin faith gear store.
- 6:56Wear your message and share the faith. Visit halffaithletitbegin.com for our
- 7:02podcast apparel and more.
- 7:04As we look ahead, as we close this chapter of slowdown, I want to personally
- 7:09thank you for taking this journey with me.
- 7:11But don't worry, we're just getting started.
- 7:14Join me next Monday as we begin an all new 10-part series, Jesus Never Said That.
- 7:22That's right, that's the next series.
- 7:24Together, we'll explore some of the biggest misconceptions about Jesus,
- 7:28challenge what culture often assumes,
- 7:31and discover what he actually taught through the pages of scripture.
- 7:35I can't wait to begin this next journey with you.
- 7:37In closing, thank you for listening to Have Faith Let It Begin.
- 7:41We are a federally registered trademark podcast and we deal with real people,
- 7:46real stories, and real faith.
- 7:48Remember, Jesus has and was never in a hurry.
- 7:53Yet, he accomplished everything his father asked him to do.
- 7:56May we learn to walk in his pace. Until next time, Keep the faith,
- 8:01slow your pace, and let God lead the way.
- 8:05God bless you, God be with you, and never forget, to have faith.
- 8:11Let it begin. See you on the next series.