We live in a world of constant chaos. There is never TIME for anything or anyone. From the moment I’m so rudely awakened by the annoying buzz of the alarm clock, my life is nothing but constant motion. There are so many outside distractions demanding my undivided attention and every little second of my time.
The day begins…
I’m sure you can relate to the routine…
✓ Get the kids up ready for school…”BRUSH YOUR TEETH!”
✓ Fix breakfast
✓ Let the dog(s) out
✓ Maybe give the spouse a kiss before they runs out the door to battle rush-hour traffic
Shhhhhh…was was that noise? It’s the school bus! “HURRY or you will miss the bus! Don’t forget your lunch!” A quick kiss on the head and then… there is silence.
But only for a brief second of silence and then…
…it’s time for your own day to start. The door shuts behind your kids or your spouse and just like that you’re sent into the frenzy of getting yourself ready… shower, hair, make-up, let the dog in, traffic, deadlines, meetings, bosses.
There is never enough time to do what you’ve written on your list of things to do today…much less check anything off.
Everyone demands a piece of your time. This is exhausting just writing about it…but I have lived it too and let me just say…it is exhausting!
Have you ever watched clothes in the dryer? Pieces tumble from the top of the dryer drum to the bottom in a circular motion. Sometimes I fee like my life is just like the clothes being tossed around in the dryer. So many things coming at me from every direction…it’s as if I’m spinning, spinning, spinning farther and farther out of control. On days like this I feel exhausted and I haven’t even gotten out of the house yet.
I know I have even said to myself… THERE HAS GOT TO BE SOMETHING BETTER THAN THIS! There has to be some kind of release, a quiet place where I can go and find refreshment and renewal.
Wait… I said quiet. Does that word even exist in my vocabulary or is it some sort of foreign language?
Let me just be real… my world is full of noise and stress. I am pretty sure yours is too. But it’s how I deal with the “stuff” this world throws at me that matters. Plain and simple…I have to UNPLUG.
UNPLUG? Who has time for that? God never wanted us to be in constant motion. He wants us to “be still” and get away for a few minutes with him. Jesus even found time in his busy schedule to get away (Matthew 14:23). If Jesus can find time, I know I sure can.
Having time with God (establishing a quiet time) is a necessity if I want to hear His voice…and truthfully it’s really hard to listen for it if I’m running at “mach speed” with my hair on fire. I should’t be afraid of the silence, I need to embrace it! It’s only in the silence that I can truly relax in the presence of my Heavenly Father. He wants to spend one-on-one time with me with no distractions or interruptions. In this quiet place I am able to “let go” of my over committed schedule and refocus on the Creator the Universe and His purpose for my life.
Yes that’s right… HE has a purpose for me and for you and it’s not to be in constant motion. Most of us do a pretty good job of filling our days with people, places and things. How will we know what our purpose is unless we get away and listen for God’s voice.
I promise, you will find renewed strength (Psalm 23:2, Isaiah 40:31) when you unplug from the noise and plug-in to a daily quiet time with Jesus. He is our source for strength and our defense against the lies we hear from this world every day.