Scripture:
“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.” (Psalm 62:1)
Thought for the day:
I was out on the porch last night winding down after a meeting and before packing for a trip to Minneapolis, and I found myself listening to the encouraging sounds of creation. Amid the calls from the geese and frogs, I lost track of time watching a family of rabbits nibbling at the grass with Max lying peacefully at my feet. At one point I realized that lately I haven’t stopped long enough to enjoy the peaceful beauty of creation. Too often I find myself choosing other avenues of relaxation that resemble “crashes from exhaustion” rather than moments of relaxation. Remembering conversations over the past couple of weeks, I’m guessing that I’m not alone.
We lead incredibly busy lives, so much so that often I think the greatest gift God gave us (after giving himself) is that there are ONLY 24 hours in a day. I would hate to think of what my life would be like if there were more hours in the day. So before I go any further: “Thanks God!”
The Bible tells us: “Be still, and know that I am God!” Psalm 46:10
In other words, there is a connection between stopping long enough to smell the proverbial roses and growing in our relationship with God. I know that personally, when I am running a tight schedule, growing my faith is not my top priority, survival is! And yet survival is dependent upon the place God has in my life.
Are you living the dilemma? You’re so busy that you can’t justify time to focus solely on God. But if you do take time for God, you can’t stop thinking about everything that isn’t getting done while you sit there. Or you simply fall asleep from exhaustion. The question is how do we move away from the proverbial precipice?
Scripture reminds us:
“Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest is still open, let us take care that none of you should seem to have failed to reach it...For in one place it speaks about the seventh day as follows, "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works." And again in this place it says, "They shall not enter my rest." Since therefore it remains open for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, again he sets a certain day — "today" — saying through David much later, in the words already quoted, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not speak later about another day. So then, a Sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; for those who enter God's rest also cease from their labors as God did from his. Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall...” Hebrews 4:1-9
I am convinced that obedience is the only way for us to reclaim our lives. Taking time to stop each day, as well as devoting a day of rest to God each week, is not easy! I can promise you that if you remain faithful to the process, the rewards (peace of mind, spirit of calm, growing in faith, etc.) far outweigh the “inconvenience” of other things undone. My own personal experience has taught me that the more time I spend with God, the more effective I become in other areas of my life.
Prayer for the day:
Heavenly Father, give me the strength and courage to take time each day to rest in Your presence. Amen.