“Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.”
Proverbs 4: 25-26
(ESV)
Not too long ago I experienced a wake up call. Nothing serious, but it struck me in such a way that it wasn’t anything I'd forget anytime soon.
You see, I was enjoying some time away and decided to do some exploring. My quest was to find that perfect secluded spot for some extended quiet time to complete my morning routine. Sounds relatively easy, right?
Tote bag in hand, I worked my way through the crowd until I spied a peaceful area overlooking the water. A fast walker by nature, I maneuvered around an unexpected corner, and that’s when the alarm was triggered in my head.
Without warning I swerved, stumbled, and slammed face forward into a closed glass door.
Stunned, my eyes popped open to take complete inventory of my surroundings. Before I could assess the situation, an elderly woman asked if I was okay.
Covering my face, not willing to reveal the results from my foolish recklessness, I expressed my gratitude, and assured her I was fine. The truth was the pain had not set in, and I was more embarrassed than I cared to admit. Had I not glanced down and been so self absorbed to obtain a comfy seat by the sea, I could have avoided the blood and bruising that followed.
It then dawned on me that in my rush to read, and rest in God’s presence, that I hadn’t paused long enough to remember He had been with me all along.
In John Mark Comer’s book, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spirituality Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World, he shares numerous examples of how our fast paced lifestyles have snuck in to rob us of our spiritual growth.
It makes me wonder, my friend, how many times do we hurry throughout a single day to be somewhere on time, or just to get to the next task?
In fact, Comer writes, “Hurry and love are incompatible.”
Yes, you and I have mastered the art of multitasking, but that is far from what we are actually called to do.
To love well is the goal of the Christian life.
Slowing down allows you and I to be in the moment.
Clinging to Jesus we discover how to love well.
Unfortunately, sometimes a wake up call is needed to stay on the spiritual path. On one level you and I know the Holy Spirit is with us wherever we go, but it takes spiritual maturity to lean on his understanding– and not our own.
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them” (1 John 4: 16).
Come now, my sister, let’s look up to the heavens, and straight ahead to keep our eyes off ourselves, and embrace not only the beauty we long for in Creation, but the beauty in the people and blessings around us.
Let’s pray.
O’ Lord Jesus,
Thank you for slowing me down to remind me of your steadfast presence. Thank you for your loving faithfulness when I fall, and for helping me discover that the only way I can live life to the fullest is with you.
Time is short, Lord. Guide me to realign my time, so that I no longer rush through my days. Make firm my steps so I may grow in obedience and trust as I discover what it takes to love like you.
I ask this in your holy name.
Amen.
Thank you for being here, sweet friend. I thank God for you!
Until next time…
May the Spirit of God lead you, the Word of God sustain you, and the Promises of God grant you the gift of everlasting peace.
With love and blessings.
I’d love to hear about the wake up calls in your life, and how I can pray for you. Simply email me at sue@faithfirstwomen.com
This Week’s Reflection Questions are:
Where do you need to lean on God’s understanding and not your own?
What do you need to do to consistently pause, ponder, and pray throughout each day? How can you set aside extra time for those you care about?
Brainstorm what loving well looks like. What can you do that you aren’t doing already?
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Sue Dick, Author of Nourish Your Soul: 7 Secrets for Women Seeking Peace
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