Did you know that the World Health Organization has dubbed stress as the “health epidemic of the 21st century” and is estimated to cost American businesses up to 300 billion dollars a year?[1]
We had the privilege of having a conversation with Terry Looper about his new book Sacred Pace: Four Steps to Hearing God and Aligning Yourself with His Will. Terry is the CEO and Founder of Texon LP, a midstream energy company founded in 1989. At the age of 36 Terry was at the peak of success but found himself experiencing burnout and operating at an unsustainable pace. He knew something needed to change. In his book, he recalls the journey of getting his life back and finding himself in Christ in a way that changed everything.
Edify: How did you become so passionate about Christian transformation and discipleship?
Terry: After my burnout, I had a desire to live differently—to live according to God’s will and God’s pace rather than my own. Out of that desire came not only a new way of doing but a more mindful way of deciding. This process transformed my approach to marriage, parenting, money, ministry, and work. Because of the peace in my gut and the tangible results I’ve encountered since that time, I’ve grown more passionate to see every follower of Christ transformed and discipled.
Edify: What led you to write this book?
Terry: I felt called by God to write this book. God had given me a four-step process for decision-making, and I wanted to share that process with others as they sought His will for their own decisions. Whatever decision you’re facing, there is a practical, tangible way for you to join pace with God to discover His will and obtain His specific direction.
Edify: We have heard you call “dying to self” your secret weapon, what do you mean by that?
Terry: Dying to self is not easy; it seems backwards and counter-cultural. In reality, dying to self is a blessed bottom line that yields huge returns of joy and peace and intimacy with Jesus. Dying to ourselves and clinging to Jesus is a powerful force in decision-making and in life.
Edify: What would you say to those who are in the middle of a season of suffering?
Terry: For those in the middle of suffering, I’d say, “don’t give up!” Philippians 1:6 says that we can be confident “that He who began a good work in [us] will carry it on to completion.” God has good plans and purposes in store for us if we will just slow down and proceed at His pace instead of our own.
Edify: How would you define what you refer to often in your book as “sacred pace”?
Terry: Going at a “sacred pace” means slowing down our fast-track lifestyles to hear God’s voice and understand His direction for our lives. You can reach this sacred pace by these four steps:
1) Consult your Friend Jesus
2) Gather the Facts
3) Watch for Circumstances
4) Get Neutral
Edify: Who should read this book?
Terry: This book is for any Christ-follower who wants to hear God’s voice and know His will. Since I am an entrepreneur and many of the tenets of this book relate to my business journey, I think this book will appeal to up-and-coming entrepreneurs, especially.
Edify: What is your prayer for what people would take away from reading this book?
Terry: My prayer is that the Holy Spirit would bless readers in their decision-making processes and that the insights I received from the Lord are encouraging to everyone who reads Sacred Pace. Above all, I pray that followers of Christ might be encouraged to listen more for God’s voice and trust His will, even if it doesn’t make sense.
To get a copy of Terry’s book, go to https://www.thomasnelson.com/p/sacredpace/
[1] Fink, George. (2017). Stress: Concepts, Definition and History. 10.1016/B978-0-12-809324-5.02208-2.