He who hesitates...

I don’t really think of myself as a slow person. As a matter of fact, one of my recent convictions has been to slow down and enjoy each day. I can often find myself always trying to squeeze in one more thing today to make tomorrow better. I can be like a dog chasing his tail.In the same breath, I laugh because if you were to ask my family, they would tell you that I am slow. On a recent trip, Chris needed to study as we traveled home, so I volunteered to drive. My slower pace definitely became a silent challenge to the fruit of the spirit within him (if you know what I mean!). When I do arrive somewhere, I also take F.O.R.E.V.E.R. to get out the car. And, I admit, I’m the slowest salad eater in the world. I’m intentional about what goes into each bite.But this world doesn’t really reward hesitating. As the saying goes, “he who hesitates loses.”As I recently went through Exodus 32 in my priority time, however, I found myself desperate to see a little hesitation. This is the time when Moses is up on the mountain receiving commandments from the Lord. At the base of the mountain, Aaron, Moses’ brother, has been left in charge.Among all the things God’s explaining to Moses, He’s telling him that Aaron and his sons will be priests. They’ll be holy and set apart. They’ll have special garments and will have special duties. And all the while, Aaron is at the base of the mountain acting especially dumb.Here’s what gets me: The people of Israel gather around Aaron and tell him to make gods for them because they don’t know what’s happened to Moses. After everything that Aaron’s been through with his brother, the last thing I’d expect to read after the Israelites voice this request is Aaron’s reply: “Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me” (Exodus 32:2).[bctt tweet="I have to ask the question, “Why didn’t Aaron hesitate?”"]There’s not one hint that Aaron even hesitated. He didn’t tell them to give Moses a few more days. He didn’t stop to think about the implications. He didn’t pray about it. He just went right along with their impatient and irreverent plan.As I journaled, I had to ask the question, “Why didn’t Aaron hesitate?” Scripture doesn’t give us an answer. I began trying to imagine. Did it purely come down to the pressure from the grumpy Israelites? Was he a people pleaser? … or power hungry? Was he simply as impatient as they were?The truth is, we aren’t told. Yet within those possible reasons came a very convicting question for you and me: Where in my life right now do I need to hesitate?[bctt tweet="Where in your life right now do you need to hesitate?"]Maybe, like Aaron, you have a group of people who are convinced they know the solution to a problem; group-think has taken over and they are asking you to jump on board. If so, perhaps the most mature thing you can do is hesitate? Is there somewhere right now where you’re caving in and making a compromising choice because you want to be liked? Are you overly anxious to be in charge? Are you moving too fast when patience is really the prudent response?May you and I always hesitate long enough to hear from the Lord.