"Stop Running"
We often wake up to an alarm. (Not exactly the most peaceful, inspiring way to begin the day, is it?) And then we spend the rest of the day trying to keep up with everything we’re “supposed” to do.
We run and run, but somehow we never feel like we’re gaining much ground.
Many of us live in an almost constant state of exhaustion—some days more than others. Is it physical? Maybe. Is it mental? Absolutely. Who isn’t carrying a head full of thoughts, problems, decisions, and ideas? Is it emotional? Yes. Who isn’t experiencing some degree of stress these days? And is it spiritual?
Most definitely.
Our exhaustion may have a deeper spiritual root than we realize—and it’s something we need to take seriously and address intentionally. Jesus warned about “the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things” that can choke out the life of the spiritual seed growing within us (Mark 4:18).
Busyness and exhaustion, left unaddressed, eventually take a toll on us spiritually and relationally.
Think about your relationships when you’re overly busy or exhausted. How do you tend to respond to the people you love? Is your coping mechanism to withdraw—or to become irritable, impatient, or even mean?
And what about your relationship with Jesus? Doesn’t busyness and exhaustion take a toll there, too? When we are constantly running, where is there room to listen, to reflect, to enjoy God, or simply to be with Him?
Something has to change.
We can’t keep living at this pace and expect there not to be consequences. Our busyness is eating away at our spiritual appetites, our relational foundations, and even our physical health.
So what would it take for you—and for all of us—to stop and choose a different way of living?
Psalm 46:10 gives us such a simple invitation: “Be still, and know that I am God.”
What if you started your day with 30 minutes in God’s presence before opening the newspaper, turning on the TV, checking your phone, listening to the radio, or jumping into everything that needs to be done?
Not another task to accomplish. Not another item on the spiritual to-do list.
Just being still and being with God.
I believe that beginning our days in His presence can break some of the malaise that seems to hang over us as a people. Perhaps the answer to our exhaustion isn’t simply finding a better way to manage everything we have to do.
Perhaps, first, we need to stop running—and remember who God is.
Categories
All Categories© 2018 Greater Formation
