When was the last time you took a break? You got away from everything and everyone? You unplugged from technology? You went away where no one had access to you? You experienced Sabbath rest?
Today I found God out in the middle of nowhere. A place where deer come regularly to feed and to graze. The bunnies are within 5 feet and have no fear. The chipmunks come right up to my feet to be fed. The birds are everywhere. The woodpeckers are within 6 feet and look at me as if to say, “Got wood?” “This peanut butter tastes even better!”
After sleeping in, I woke up to make my favorite Tim Horton’s coffee. And all I seemed to need was God’s Word that tasted fresher than my freshly ground and brewed coffee. There’s so much more to experience when we’re not in a hurry. God’s Word just unfolds like flowers before me. The more I chew on God’s Word…the better it tastes. The more I discover. The more questions I have. The more peace I feel.
Why do we believe being busy is godly? Why do we fill our days and schedules with more? Why don’t we just stop and enjoy all that God has given us to enjoy, experience, and discover from moment to moment? Imagine the impact of lingering with God each day in prayer and reflecting on God’s Word until it becomes our thoughts, our perspectives, and our words. Imagine just enjoying the person right in front of you as if they’re the only person in the whole world. Just think how important they’ll feel. I think that’s how people felt when they were with Jesus.
Jesus knows the best way to get our attention and to slow us down. He wants us to re-establish rhythms that revolve around Him. He wants us to taste and see that He’s good, and He wants to bless us as we trust in Him.
As I slipped away to enjoy my father-in-law, who is celebrating his 82nd birthday today, I’m noticing his incredible peace living out in the middle of nowhere. But he’s not alone. God is with him and so are all the animals he feeds. He knows I love enjoying deer. Every time they come in sight and return to the piles of corn in his back yard, he comes to get me so I can enjoy them again.
Can you imagine living from moment to moment wondering when God will show up next? Are you listening to what He’s going to say next? Can you imagine what He’s planning next to do with you? Can you slip away now from all that’s going on long enough to sense His presence? Will you just be still for some moments and rediscover that He is God?
I’ve come to a place in my own life that I can’t contain what God is doing in my life. Even when I intentionally come apart so I don’t come apart, I must share my God life with you. I can’t help it. I really believe we were made to live in close communion with God and with each other. Our lives shouldn’t be able to work well when we’re not walking in close fellowship with God and with each other. Jesus said, “apart from me you can’t do anything.”
Let’s do an experiment together for one day. Slow down and treat the person in front of you like they’re the only one in the whole world. Ask Jesus to match your pace with His purpose. Work with Him. Rest with Him. Enjoy Him and the people He’s placed in your life. Then notice how you feel about yourself. And if you like how you feel …don’t ever stop. Love and lead a life worthy of His calling.