SEU Worship is a dynamic worship collective from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. Comprising faculty, staff, students, and alums, it aims to cultivate Spirit-led praise that emerges from the heart of campus life and reaches the broader church. Renowned for creating songs that capture the worship culture of Southeastern’s weekly chapel gatherings, its music resonates with authenticity, depth, and a passion for Jesus.
 
Worship leader Chelsea Plank and the SEU Worship team have introduced several new anthems to the Church. "Monday Morning Faith," "A Thousand Generations," "Heart Cry," and "Higher Than Mine" continually bless me as a worshiper.
 
I was thrilled to hear Move of God, their full-length release, and to experience their performance at the Winter Jam tour. The album is entirely focused on worship in the style of praise bands like Elevation Worship and Bethel Music, continuing SEU Worship’s tradition of praise directed towards our King and Savior, Jesus. Each song could easily be included in a Sunday morning worship set.
 
The worship leaders at SEU Worship compose and perform with remarkable passion, offering unreserved praise and heartfelt gratitude to our Savior in an inspiring and emotionally moving manner. The eternal love of Jesus is beautifully conveyed through these compelling songs. These powerful hymns encourage listeners to pray, helping them express their desires for holiness and God’s presence. I spoke with worship leader Chelsea about “Slower I Go” before Winter Jam in Reading, Pennsylvania.
 
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
 
What’s cool about SEU Worship is that we are connected to Southeastern University. A lot of our songwriting involves our students. I’m on staff and work with our students in the worship program. We wrote this song during a songwriting retreat in the fall of 2022 with our staff and students. We asked each other, “What is the Lord teaching you? What do we need?” Often, a common denominator leads to the grace of writing the song. We all mentioned that we were busy trying to learn ministry well and how to do things for the Lord and spend time being with Him.
 
That heart posture ultimately shaped “Slower I Go,” a song that reflects on the value of patience and the spiritual discipline of slowing down in this fast-paced world. Inspired by James 1:19 and Romans 8:25, this song encourages us to be attentive to God’s voice and presence. Listening to the song's words, one thing that makes God so great is how He bows low to love us. When you see the disparity between us and God, you can’t help but feel overwhelmed and worship Him. He isn’t just a great God; He lavishes His love on us.
 
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
 
James 1:19 (NKJV): “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”
 
Romans 8:25 (NKJV): “But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.”
 
Psalm 46:10 (NKJV): "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
 
Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG): "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me, and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me, and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
 
Romans 12:2 (VOICE): "Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete."
 
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV): "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts."
 
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."
 
Acts 2:28 (VOICE): "Instead, You direct me on a path that leads to a beautiful life. As I walk with You, the pleasures are never-ending, and I know true joy and contentment."
 
Psalm 139:13-14 (NKJV): "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well."
 
Psalm 139:17-18 (NKJV): "How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! They would be more in number than the sand if I should count them. When I awake, I am still with You."
 
What is the takeaway message?
 
”Slower I Go” is about being present and patient with the Lord. Everyone in the writing session struggled with this. How can we slow down and listen to the Lord? How can we sit in His presence and be transformed?
 
I love reflective songs and those that inspire thought while I listen to them. Personal worship resonates with me and is the type of song I tend to write. When I hear this song, I think of Jesus' life. He was with people and did the work of the Lord. Sometimes, He needed to go and be with His Father to be filled by the “living well.”
 
That rhythm of retreat and renewal reflects the beautiful tension of living with the Lord. We need to discern when we are to be a Martha and when we are to be a Mary. Jesus worked all day and reminds us to come to Him, and He will give us rest. Where is my heart and mind dwelling? When am I sitting with the Lord? Have slow feet and slow plans. We are not in a hurry. Could you sing it until you believe it?
 
Lyrics
 
I wanna move slowly
'Cause this moment is holy
You're never in a hurry
So why ever would I be?
 
Search me and know me and prune what You find
The future I made, oh, I leave it behind me
Lord, if it's You, then it's perfect in timing
Oh, I wanna have
 
Slow feet, slow plans
Steadfast in patience
Rid me of my quickness
I'll be soon to listen
It seems as though the slower I go, the faster I arrive
 
Aye
We'll be slow
 
I love how we're talking
Just me and You, God
Just quietly walking
The truest of friendship
The more I know You, Lord
The more that I know You
Oh, the more I wanna have, I wanna have
 
Slow feet, slow plans
Steadfast in patience
Rid me of my quickness
I'll be soon to listen
 
Slow feet, slow plans
Steadfast in patience
Rid me of my quickness
I'll be soon to listen
It seems as though the slower I go, the faster I arrive
 
We'll be slow in Your presence
We'll linger and listen
To what You are speaking
We're not in a hurry
No, we're not in a hurry
No, no
We're not in a hurry
We're not in a hurry, no, no, no
We're not in a hurry
We're walking in the cool of the day with You, Jesus
We're not in a hurry
No, we're not in a hurry
No, no, no, no, no
We're not in a hurry
We wanna have
 
Slow feet, slow plans
Steadfast in patience
Rid us of our quickness
We'll be soon to listen
 
Slow feet, slow plans
Steadfast in patience
Rid us of our quickness
We'll be soon to listen
And it seems as though the slower I go, the faster I arrive
 
Closing Thoughts
 
As a father of three daughters, I find hearing anointed female worship leaders like Chelsea Plank exciting. Chelsea sings this beautiful song with engaging and uplifting passion, and her lyrics direct listeners to Jesus. These women are excellent role models, dedicating their musical gifts to the Lord.
 
The prayerful message of devotion in this song also expresses my heart’s desire for my daughters to embrace. I want them to connect with Jesus, as this song yearns for a relationship with our Lord and Savior. When we feel like we are on shaky ground and are facing the uncertainties of our circumstances, the economy, and our world, this song invites us to focus on the unshakable and eternal nature of God and join in on this prayer: “I wanna move slowly/'Cause this moment is holy/You're never in a hurry/So why ever would I be?”
 
I love how prayers and songs of praise create a communal experience that we can all share. I believe the Lord wants us to long for Him, and this song expresses that intercession: “The more I know You, Lord/The more that I know You.” When filled with the Holy Spirit, we cultivate a personal relationship with the comforter and experience a peace that surpasses understanding, knowing that this fallen world isn’t everything we ultimately live for.
 
I have spent time reflecting on and singing this song to God, which always comforts me. One of my daily devotionals in my effort to grow in my walk with Jesus is to sing at least one praise song to Him each day. Therefore, take time to be with Him.
 
Consider praying and singing along to this song of worship. Additionally, read your Bible every day. God wants us to remember not to fear. The cost of discipleship involves making Him the Lord of our lives.
 
Psalm 46:10 encourages us by reminding us of God’s sovereignty, affirming that He has been, is, and always will be with us. With His presence, we can endure anything.
 
Jesus died on the cross to free us from the struggles of our minds as well as from sin and death. He desires for us to have an abundant life in Him. What a wonderful and encouraging truth.
 
This song leads me to the throne room in the worship of Jesus, where I get lost in the majesty, wonder, and beauty of the King of kings and Lord of lords. The musical arrangement is perfect for any style of worship service, and the message is biblical, timeless, and contemporary. Slow down, with slow feet and slow plans, and sing this song over yourself until you believe it: “Slow feet, slow plans/Steadfast in patience/Rid us of our quickness/We'll be soon to listen/And it seems as though the slower I go, the faster I arrive.” Amen to that.