I'm currently getting back in to the habit of reading books outside of the Bible. Don't get me wrong, I still read several chapters of the Bible a day outside of what I am teaching for the week. The book I'm focusing on right now is "An Unhurried Life" by Alan Fadling. I was challenged (and even a bit offended) when He suggested that Jesus lived such a life (an unhurried one). I mean, how many thousands did Jesus feed? How many people did He heal? Doesn't Jesus appreciate everything I do for Him?
And yet, if I am honest, I sometimes make my ministry about my busy-ness, how much I get done, instead of making it about knowing God and making Him known. And, if I'm honest with myself, I'm always hovering at the edge of burnout. Sure, I take a day off, and take some down time, but I always fill said time with planned activities, entertainments, and all sorts of things. The TV or Radio or Phone or Computer is always on. And sometimes, I'm so busy I can't even focus; I feel stretched thin, or, as Bilbo Baggins described Himself: like butter stretched out over too much toast. I don't do what Jesus did: He often went away from the crowds demanding His time, He went to solitary places to be still, He made time before He did anything else to be alone in the stillness and quiet of the Presence of the Father.
We live in an age that demands busy-ness for its own sake. We have devices that save us time, and in the process give us more time to fill with other things. So the fact remains we don't save time, we make ourselves more busy, we stretch ourselves more thin, and we neglect the very thing that will feed our souls: stillness and quiet in the Presence of God. So maybe it's time we stop seeking entertainment. Maybe we should even take time away from serving in the church (yes, I said it), and take some time, as Jesus did, to tarry in God's presence, to be still before Him, and to bask in His Glory. Maybe then all things would become clear. Maybe then we would hear God's voice more clearly (it's hard to hear when we won't be quiet!). So be still in His presence. Seek His peace and quiet for your soul, and hear His voice as He calms you and quiets you. Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
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