For four days in July 1987, I had the privilege of being a guest to the residence of the late Cardinal Peter Poreku Dery, the then Catholic Archbishop of Tamale. I was visiting the revered priest for a discussion regarding a social intervention programme I was coordinating at the time and which the Archbishop had graciously accepted to be part of.

Before traveling to Tamale to meet the Archbishop, I sought to know a bit about his life to no avail. Unlike today, information of any kind was not easily accessible during those ‘dark’ days. After welcoming me to his residence, the Archbishop inquired about my life pilgrimage and the reason for my involvement in the social intervention programme I was coordinating. He listened quietly as I briefly spoke.

After my rendition, the Archbishop was quiet for a brief moment and then with a calm but deep voice, he echoed;

‘My son, you have reminded me of the early journeys I also had to contend with whilst growing up. But for the Lord Almighty, I would have had a different destiny’.

Archbishop Dery went on to tell me about his life - his family background; the miracle of his conversion to Christianity and his baptism; the hope that conversion brought when he started formal education at age 15; his decision to live and work for Christ; and finally; his joy of rescuing thousands of his people from ignorance and poverty.

‘If you started primary school at age 15 and got ordained as a priest at age 33, how come you were able to rise so quickly to become Bishop in 1960 at age 42?’ I asked the Archbishop.

Responding to my inquiry, Cardinal Dery made the following statement – ‘My son, when you have my type of parentage and ethnic orientation, you will progress in life only when you hide your movements and slow down your steps. I mean hastening with caution.’

Continuing, the Archbishop told me that it was whilst he was at the minor seminary that, his mentor - a Reverend Father, advised him to always tread with caution and never be in a hurry to run farther than his legs can carry him because; success and wellbeing are not determined by how fast we travel. To validate that wisdom, Archbishop Dery took the Catholic Bible and read Ecclesiastes 9:11 as follows:-

‘Again I saw under the sun that the race is not won by the swift, nor the battle by the valiant, nor a livelihood by the wise, nor riches by the shrewd, nor favour by the experts; for a time of misfortune comes to all alike.’

‘Archbishop, practically what benefits could we gain from ‘hiding our movements and slowing down our steps’? I queried.

To my question, Cardinal Dery enumerated the following seven practical benefits;

·         You become conscious of your surroundings and its inhibitions.

·         You are hidden from prowling eyes.

·         You do not attract unnecessary attention to yourself.

·         You go at a constant pace.

·         You do not lose steam.

·         You become focused.

·         You revitalize the brain.

·         You slow down the aging process

The Archbishop then directed me to find time to study the life of such Biblical characters as Jacob, Joseph, David, Elijah and Paul – whose steps were deliberated slowed by God in order for them to fulfil their respective mission on earth.

He also mentioned Abraham Lincoln whose steps were acutely slowed down during his journeys of life; however, his achievements amply demonstrated that the people who are made to ‘go slow’ on their growth path leave behind a more durable legacies.

Therefore friend, my advice for you is this –

 

·         Hasten Slowly for God is still in heaven.

·         You are not responsible for doing it all – yourself – right now.

·         Cut down on the unabated work pressure.

·         Cut down on the many travels.

·         Say NO to some of the many engagements,

·         Make time for yourself in order to reduce the toll on your life.

Do you want to learn how to slow down? Look at the following six pointers that have been suggested by Linus Mundy in his book ‘Slow Down Therapy’-

1.

Allow yourself some time to be lazy and unproductive. Rest isn't a luxury; it's a necessity.

"Because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them,'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.' (Mark 6:31)

2.

Once in a while, turn down the lights and the volume. Turn down the throttle, and the invitations. Less really can be more.

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life… Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind." (1 Thessalonians 4:11a; Ecclesiastes 4:6)

3.

Create a place in your home — At your work… in your heart… where you can go for quiet and recollection.

"The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever… In quietness and trust is your strength… "  (Isaiah 32:17; 30:15a)

4.

Take time just to think — Action is good and necessary, but it's fruitful only if we muse, ponder, and mull.

"Watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly… "(Ephesians 5:15. 17b – The Message)

5.

Talk and play with children – It will bring out the unhurried little person inside you.

"Jesus said, '… Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me… Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:5, 14)

6.

Take time to wonder — without wonder, life is merely existence.

"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" (Psalm 8:3, 4))