Faster or slower?

 

Q: What do these two items have in common?

A: They are both small kitchen appliances used to cook food.

Q: How do these two items differ?

A: One takes a long time to cook, and one cooks very fast.

Q: Which one is better?

A: Both of them.

Q: Isn't faster always better?

A: Nope.

We've seen a significant movement to speed things up in our time. Even more than an InstantPot, we have microwave ovens to cook or reheat our food as fast as possible. We like freeways where the speed limit is high, enabling us to get to our destination faster. Airplanes are faster and more efficient than ever. We like to rush through schooling, shorten our meetings (including worship services), get packages delivered overnght, speed up communication, have the fastest Internet possible, pick the shortest line in the grocery store. We're always in a hurry!

There is merit in speeding up menial tasks, to be sure. Spending less time on things that matter less should allow us to spend more time on things that matter more!

But faster isn't always better. Food cooked in a microwave or an Instant Pot isn't always tastier. Crock pots and slow cookers were designed to function best by cooking more gradually, at lower temperatures. In many cases this results in more tender, more flavorful food, with more nutrients - usually at a lower cost. (Incidentally, it should be noted that the preparation time for food in a crock pot vs. and Instant Pot is basically the same; it just requires better advance planning to use the slow cooker!)

In life, we do need to be aware of time wasters, and try to avoid them. However, there are times when it's very appropriate to take our time:

- conversations with friends

- walks in nature

- spending time on a hobby

- listening to good music

- reading and pondering

- eating - savoring flavors and textures

- think before you speak!

I #GiveThanks for the blessings of time-savers, but also for the privilege to slow down occasionally and use time carefully and wisely.