Slow Down and Meet God

For the past few weeks, Pastor Craig (Life.Church) has been ministering about having healthy habits and I know my habits aren’t the best, so I’ve really leaned into what he’s taught. I’m working on how to put the things into practice and started a bible plan today to get me started. I raise this because I’ve talked about resting before, but today I saw a practical example of how we pour out and pour out and pour out and if we are not replenished, we won’t be effective. 

Our staying busy may be the very thing that destroys our ability to do whatever God calls us to. We have to get still and recognize our weaknesses and vulnerabilities and other shortcomings so we go to the One who can meet us with them and make us whole. While I listened to the message, I went into denial mode. Do I stay busy because I’m afraid of failing or I’m afraid to be too quiet and hear all the voices tell me I’m not enough? Or am I just a bit self-involved and need to think about how “important” I am to the process of getting it all done? 

Whatever the case or the excuses, I’m not following Jesus’ example. Jesus regularly went off alone to spend quiet time with God (Mark 1:35; Mark 6:46-47; Mark 14:32-39; Luke 6:12). He did not depend on His human body to carry Him through. He leaned and depended on the Father as His source. The first thing Jesus did after being baptized and being acknowledged as God’s beloved son, was to go off for 40 days and nights to be with God, to be strengthened in His spirit (Matt 4:1-11).  

I don’t consistently spend time with God and wait to hear from Him. I do read a scripture passage and study for bible study and pray regularly, but not consistently and intentionally. I can be pretty haphazard – catch time when I find it. I mean, I don’t know about you, but I make time and give attention to the things I want. How insulting is that to God? 

I know He’s always with me, but He created me and gave His son for me. I owe Him more than that. I owe Him all of me. And beyond owing Him, I love Him. I want to please Him. I can’t do that if I don’t know Him intimately. The more private time you spend with anyone, the more you get to know them. You get to understand their likes and dislikes, their quirks, their nuances, their humor, how their voice changes depending on mood, etc. If we want to know God intimately, we have to spend time with Him. Be still and know that I am God (Psa 46:10), the Psalmist wrote.  

At the end of the day, if I really recognize that He is the most important one in my life, I have to make sure I meet Him regularly. I need to plan for my time with Him. I’m working on my time and place of meeting, but He is that important and I need Him. Everyday! In Every way! I know I’ve been in a place in the past where I was worn out and it was my fault. Going without taking time to be filled is not healthy for me and anyone I’m impacting. 

Lord, give me grace and perseverance to seek you intentionally and consistently. Give me courage to face the parts of myself I’d rather ignore. Help me past my fear of failure and disappointing others to a space where I can quiet the noise and hear you! Amen!