Pole Pole — ‘Slowly, Slowly’

lucylightyear
Jul 27, 2017 · 2 min read

I came across a powerful image with an accompanying quote. The image was a pair of bloodied and battered ballet dancers feet; and above these weary soles, the words:

‘Everyone wants to be successful until they see what it actually takes.’

This spoke to me of the desire for ease, comfort and immediacy that permeates our society today. I myself am not immune to this — we can all have a tendency to want things quickly and easily, and to be put off by hard work and sacrifice. The culture of social media I am sure does not help; everyday exposing ourselves to people’s ‘highlight reels’ and assuming that their life is always fun and lived without a struggle, and that is the way it should be. On the contrary — all people have mundane routines and life can be a battle for everyone at times; filled with a multitude of temptations, troubles and trials. If this is a universal truth, then why do we forget that it is truth?

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you”

1 Peter 4:12

I read an article a while back on Relevant that compared the pace and attitude of our society with that of Africa; the writer shared:

“In Kenya they say, Pole pole, or slowly, slowly. In Zambia they say, Panono, panono, or bit by bit. There is never an expectation that life will go smoothly or that you will reach your destination with expediency. Slowly, slowly expects ebb and flow.”

Most readers of my ‘blog’ I am fairly certain will be a fair way into adulthood, and will be able to testify to the fact that, thus far, life has very much ‘ebbed and flowed’. God sits as “refiner and purifier of silver” and this refining does not come about through life always being cool and calm, but at times by being thrust into the heat of the fire (physically, mentally or circumstantially). As we go through life getting a bit burnt, battered and bruised, rather than becoming weak, we are strengthened; furthermore we hone our skill — our skill to dance to the rhythm of our Lord and Saviour, following His lead and being in step with His moves.

As we ‘pole pole’, ebb and flow our way through life, may this be our battle cry:

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

-2 Corinthians 4:8–12

And as we persevere through whatever life has in store for us, may we come to find out all the good stuff God made us of.

“And so, it’s like we’ve always known, We’ll all be reaping what we’ve sown, But we won’t be keeping what we’ve saved up. And those scars are proof that we were here, That we were young and free of fear, And we grew old enough to find out what we’re made of.”

-‘Scars (what we’re made of)’ — Covenhoven

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