Thinking Well and Acting Slow

We live in a culture where going slow is seen as a negative, or at least that’s the way it feels. Busy isn’t just an adjective that describes most peoples schedules. Busy is something that a lot of people breathe. Being busy is something that has become second nature and it’s almost like we have a culture where the nature of success in the mainstream media is busyness. Terry Looper in his book Sacred Pace outlines 4 parts to his process of decision making: “Consult Jesus, “Gather the Facts”, Analyze the Circumstances, Get Neutral”.

The funny thing is, there are people under the age of 30 who are already trying to live this way, but the vast majority of them aren’t seen as leaders or contributors because they haven’t had enough experience…. I think that’s a poor reason to exclude someone from being part of the decision making process.

Here are the key reasons why young thinkers are beneficial to the decision making process.

• Thinkers ask genuine questions: this can prevent mistakes, and provide an opportunity for those who have walked with Jesus longer to offer some feedback and respond to the curiosity and foster the next generations growth.
• Thinkers make decisions slower and therefore act slower: Their responses to questions about various decisions or processes are going to be thoughtful and potentially from a unique or relatively unaddressed angle.
• Thinkers strategize about things beyond their sphere of immediate influence: They see the bigger picture and try to incorporate it into their tasks and decisions.

One of the most crucial elements in Terry Looper’s process is that of getting neutral. This neutral space is best articulated as the point where an individual is content and joyful regardless of the outcome of a decision.

What does the Bible say about thinking well and acting slow?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him. And He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Pr 3:5–7.

“Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be courageous and act.” 1 Chronicles 28:10.

These two verses give us a profound foundation for thinking well and acting slow. Proverbs 3:5-7 speaks for itself. we are not to trust ourselves but rather God in all things and all ways. He makes our paths straight, this includes calling us to act on certain things. Terry Looper’s process is all about this process, getting things right with Jesus and understanding the situation before waiting for Gods call to move in a certain direction.

Gods call to move is a peace that surpasses all things in Terry’s eyes and I’m inclined to agree, while it may not be this peace every time primarily I believe that when we follow God’s will there is peace to be found in all situations.