IT HAPPENED ON A DARK SPRING MORNING. I still can’t quite believe I did it. I swung into McDonald’s for a cup of coffee before hurrying on to a meeting. As I approached the drive-through I noticed that there were about five cars ahead of me, just sitting there. I sat there thinking it might be quicker just to park and go on in the restaurant. But then the cars in front of me began to move slowly. I stayed with it. I ordered my usual: “Senior’s decaf, please.” I proceeded to the first window, paid the 54 cent fee and drove right past the next window without getting my coffee. As I started to leave the parking lot, it dawned on me---they have my 54 cents but I don’t have anything to show for it. I was able to back all the way to the proper window and get my coffee. The young lady was holding my cup, waiting for me, with a big smile on her face. I could tell that she had seen this before. “She said, “Here you are, have a nice day!” Flushed as I was, I managed to blurt out, “Life gets a little hectic at times; sorry about that!” I knew at that very instant that I had contracted that dreaded social disease, “scurry.” That’s right, not scurvy, but scurry. My body was in drive, but my mind was in neutral.
I don’t think I am terribly different from the average twenty-first century American. We’re all running to and fro and need to pause now and then, to catch our breath---especially our spiritual breath.
“Time Out!” “Take Five!” “Recess!” “Break Time!” These are terms that we are all familiar with. They scream for the need to rest, relax, and recuperate. And it really doesn’t matter whether one is using them in reference to work, athletics, or education. It is a fact of life that we all need periods away from the routine of our lives---time to regroup and refresh our bodies, psyches, and emotions.
But what about our spirits? Do we value our relationship with God enough to “push the pause button on our life” in order to be refreshed inwardly? Jesus set the example for us by taking time away from His ministry to be alone with His Father. Dare we do any less?
Let’s face it, we are living in a hectic world. The pace at which most of us operate is frightening. We have deadlines to meet, places to go, meetings to attend, schedules to keep, and multi tasks to accomplish. More than ever before, we need to budget our time so that we can achieve our desired goals. Each of us must decide what our priorities must be. We do not want to be enslaved by the “tyranny of time,” yet often we find ourselves kneeling at its feet. In our quest for a balanced life, we need to hear again the voice of the past, saying, “Beware of the barrenness of an over-busy life.”
Sad to say, many believes do not schedule into their lives a time to get alone with the One who can refresh their souls and thereby bring a sense of normalcy to an otherwise frantic agenda. According to a recent poll by George Barna, quiet times do not rank very high on the believer’s list of priorities. That which should be most important is often pushed aside and neglected, resulting in lives that are spiritually anemic.
Quiet times are like spiritual baths. They cleanse, they refresh, they restore. When we take time to listen to God and meditate upon His Word, something miraculous transpires. We are inwardly equipped to face the day’s challenges, to make a difference, to share His love.
This is the age of distractions. We are bombarded by them. Noise pollution takes its toll on every one of us. Radio and television sets blare all day long. Telephones ring constantly. The intruding sounds of cars and jet planes drown out the beauty of solitude. Oh, how our souls long for a place of retreat---a pause that will refresh. That’s partly what this book is all about—an attempt to assist the weary traveler to stop by the roadway of life, rest under the shade of one of God’s great oaks and drink deeply from His many wells.
We need to quench our spiritual thirst, often. There is little hope of living victoriously unless we spend time regularly with our Father. So, sit a spell, relax in God’s presence and allow Him to rejuvenate you on your journey to His eternal home.
I don’t think I am terribly different from the average twenty-first century American. We’re all running to and fro and need to pause now and then, to catch our breath---especially our spiritual breath.
“Time Out!” “Take Five!” “Recess!” “Break Time!” These are terms that we are all familiar with. They scream for the need to rest, relax, and recuperate. And it really doesn’t matter whether one is using them in reference to work, athletics, or education. It is a fact of life that we all need periods away from the routine of our lives---time to regroup and refresh our bodies, psyches, and emotions.
But what about our spirits? Do we value our relationship with God enough to “push the pause button on our life” in order to be refreshed inwardly? Jesus set the example for us by taking time away from His ministry to be alone with His Father. Dare we do any less?
Let’s face it, we are living in a hectic world. The pace at which most of us operate is frightening. We have deadlines to meet, places to go, meetings to attend, schedules to keep, and multi tasks to accomplish. More than ever before, we need to budget our time so that we can achieve our desired goals. Each of us must decide what our priorities must be. We do not want to be enslaved by the “tyranny of time,” yet often we find ourselves kneeling at its feet. In our quest for a balanced life, we need to hear again the voice of the past, saying, “Beware of the barrenness of an over-busy life.”
Sad to say, many believes do not schedule into their lives a time to get alone with the One who can refresh their souls and thereby bring a sense of normalcy to an otherwise frantic agenda. According to a recent poll by George Barna, quiet times do not rank very high on the believer’s list of priorities. That which should be most important is often pushed aside and neglected, resulting in lives that are spiritually anemic.
Quiet times are like spiritual baths. They cleanse, they refresh, they restore. When we take time to listen to God and meditate upon His Word, something miraculous transpires. We are inwardly equipped to face the day’s challenges, to make a difference, to share His love.
This is the age of distractions. We are bombarded by them. Noise pollution takes its toll on every one of us. Radio and television sets blare all day long. Telephones ring constantly. The intruding sounds of cars and jet planes drown out the beauty of solitude. Oh, how our souls long for a place of retreat---a pause that will refresh. That’s partly what this book is all about—an attempt to assist the weary traveler to stop by the roadway of life, rest under the shade of one of God’s great oaks and drink deeply from His many wells.
We need to quench our spiritual thirst, often. There is little hope of living victoriously unless we spend time regularly with our Father. So, sit a spell, relax in God’s presence and allow Him to rejuvenate you on your journey to His eternal home.
posted by kazookid | 9:39 AM
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